Fury over 3 parking tickets in 24 hours

2:00pm Thursday 28th December 2006

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A DISABLED 79-year-old has slammed parking chiefs after being given three parking tickets in less than 24 hours.

George Bretherton, of Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, was first ticketed after forgetting to display his disabled parking badge at the Waves/St Paul's Avenue car park, in Blackburn town centre.

He was determined not to get another ticket when he parked in Northgate the following day, and says he displayed his badge properly. But he was amazed to see a warden giving him a ticket, claiming the badge could not be seen properly.

And, after taking the ticket to the town hall to complain, he returned to the vehicle to find he had been ticketed again!

Mr Bretherton has since written to the council to object.

He was told his letters of appeal had been refused, and he is now appealing for the authority to use "common sense" and cancel the fines.

He said: "The first ticket was my own fault, but then I came into town and went to a cafe on Northgate. I came back to the car and a parking warden was busy sticking a ticket on. He said he couldn't see my disabled badge properly, but it was right there.

"I told him, well I am taking it out and going to the town hall right away to see what we can do about it. I really wanted to try to get them to see sense.

"I can't pay for a ticket I got while I was at the town hall, I don't accept that.

"But if I don't pay within 14 days, I have to pay £60 for each ticket."

Mr Bretherton is registered disabled, and says there are a limited number of parking places in the town where he can park when he and his wife, Pat, are visiting.

He suffers from a number of conditions which can affect his mobility, along with asthma.

A spokes-man for the Association of British Drivers said, in certain cases, leeway should be given by wardens but, because of the way parking tickets are issued to make money, this was not possible.

He said: "This is something we feel particularly strongly about. The whole object is to generate revenue, that's all.

"There is no room for human kindness."

Coun Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration for the council, said all the rules had been followed correctly by parking staff.

He said: "A Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) was issued for the incorrect displaying of a blue badge.

"More than one hour later a parking attendant, whilst patrolling the car park, issued a PCN to the vehicle for not displaying a legitimate pay-and-display ticket, or blue badge.

"At this stage there was no evidence that the car had previously been booked. Both PCNs have been issued correctly.

"However, if the driver does not agree with the notices he has the right to appeal."