August 28th 2024.
Mick Carter, a 70-year-old pensioner from Maidstone, Kent, returned from his holiday to a nasty surprise - a parking ticket. He was caught in a limbo, unsure of why he was being fined when he had been parking in the same spot for the past 35 years. The spot in question was a nearby speed ramp that was constructed three decades ago. Mick couldn't believe it. There were no yellow lines, no parking restrictions, and no notices prohibiting parking in the area.
According to Mick, the speed ramp also did not have the usual dimpled paving slabs that are used to indicate a crossing place for blind individuals. He made sure to park his Ford Kuga in a way that would not block pedestrians from using the pavement. However, despite his efforts, he received a letter stating that he had been issued a £70 ticket for parking in a "special enforcement area on part of a carriageway raised to meet the level of a footway, cycle or track."
Confused and frustrated, Mick questioned why he was being fined when he had seen others park on the same speed ramps without consequence. He explained that parking in the area can be difficult, especially since he has two parking spots in front of his house that are often taken up by his family's caravan and second car. Determined not to accept the ticket without a fight, Mick even went to the houses at either end of the other speed ramps to see if anyone else had received a ticket, but he was the only one.
After appealing the penalty, Mick was informed a week later that it had been issued incorrectly. While relieved that he wouldn't have to pay the fine, he described the experience as "pretty stressful." The Civil Enforcement Team apologized for their mistake and any inconvenience caused. Mick still couldn't understand how he had been issued the ticket in the first place since there were no yellow lines in the area and no reason for a parking officer to come there.
However, the council later clarified that the initial penalty was issued correctly. According to a spokesperson, Mick lives in a Special Enforcement Area, which means that under traffic management law, a penalty charge can be issued if the offence occurs within that area. The council also stated that the raised road where Mick had parked was considered part of the special area because it assists pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles in accessing off-road parking. This type of contravention does not require any signage or road lining.
In the end, the council acknowledged that there had been some confusion around the case and apologized for any misunderstanding. While Mick was relieved that he didn't have to pay the fine, he still felt that the whole situation could have been avoided if there had been clearer communication and signage in the area. He also wondered how many others had been incorrectly issued tickets in the same area.
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