Parking Ticket Fun
 

  You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more

[Closed] Parking Ticket Fun

23 Posts
18 Users
0 Reactions
78 Views
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Boring story but hopefully someone can offer some insight into whether or not it's possible to overcome petty bureaucracy. On our street there's a designated space for a car share club that has long since ceased to exist in its own right, got bought out by a different company that no longer uses that particular spot. There hasn't been any car club vehicle there for a few years. Parking is on street only and there's not a huge amount of space in the area so my partner parked in the old car club spot. Two days later, two parking tickets arrive for using that spot. The car doesn't get used more than a few times a week so it got missed the first time. Does she have a leg to stand on if she argues the case with the council? The fine (combined) is £70 but bumps up to £140 if she fails in her complaint. To me this is madness as the spot hasn't been used for years and there are no signs it's going to be revived.

Christ I feel dull just for writing this but if anyone has had success in squabbling with council jobsworths then I'd feel a bit more confident writing a complaint.

ta


 
Posted : 28/11/2017 9:55 pm
Posts: 1299
Free Member
 

No chance imo, not agreeing with the restriction isn’t going to wash, not valid reason for appeal. Normally you would just give it a go but if they won’t allow you to pay the discounted rate after appeal I wouldn’t bother, just chalk it up and move on. Assuming these tickets came from the council? I’ve contested plenty with the council and only got let off one.

Then once that’s sorted argue the case with them for removing the restriction.


 
Posted : 28/11/2017 10:21 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Not a chance. Bang to rights I’m afraid. Appeal will fail.
Pay it and move on.


 
Posted : 28/11/2017 10:23 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Dargh, that sucks. Cheers for the input though.


 
Posted : 28/11/2017 11:03 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Two days later, two parking tickets arrive for using that spot

Council parking fines in the post without anything stuck to car - is that OK now?


 
Posted : 28/11/2017 11:23 pm
Posts: 77347
Free Member
 

It's worth asking them at least. They can always say no.


 
Posted : 28/11/2017 11:29 pm
Posts: 71
Free Member
 

But they’ll charge you £70 just for asking. Rather you than me!


 
Posted : 28/11/2017 11:44 pm
Posts: 12865
Free Member
 

No, making an appeal stops the clock. Very much doubt it’d be successful mind!


 
Posted : 29/11/2017 12:31 am
Posts: 7114
Full Member
 

That seems steep for a council ticket, which council is it?


 
Posted : 29/11/2017 6:45 am
Posts: 16346
Free Member
 

Is there any requirement for additional signage in these spaces? We have a marked disabled space next door which was for the chap who died about 6 years ago. My understanding is that it is only legally enforceable if accompanied with a sign on the adjacent wall. On a side note we've successfully appealed a ticket for parking in poorly signed residents only area


 
Posted : 29/11/2017 7:02 am
Posts: 4331
Full Member
 

Seems about right (£35 per ticket).


 
Posted : 29/11/2017 7:03 am
Posts: 7114
Full Member
 

Oh yeah, missed the fact that there were two tickets!


 
Posted : 29/11/2017 7:06 am
Posts: 31056
Free Member
 

If it's a council ticket, I'd argue it - an appeal should stop the clock and if unsuccessful, you should still have the option to pay the original fine. Maybe an "innocent" enquiry telephone call to whoever runs the car club saying you're thinking of joining but would like to know if they're planning on putting a car back in that spot, and if not why not. Would give you some facts to back up your appeal. It's a bit naughty to park in the spot of course, but it's a PITA for a company to have an allocated space on a street for a car-club vehicle and just not bother using it.


 
Posted : 29/11/2017 7:06 am
Posts: 2056
Free Member
 

As above. Check the wording as an appeal would usually just stop the clock. You've nothing to lose.

Also parking ticket by post seems unusual, although the rules may have changed to reflect pay by phone parking. It's been a while since I had a ticket (touch wood)

Which council is it?


 
Posted : 29/11/2017 7:07 am
Posts: 31056
Free Member
 

I know Bristol uses a few CCTV cars to drive around and record parking offences - but don’t know whether it stops and issues a ticket or all the data is surveyed at the end of the driving shift and tickets issued by post.


 
Posted : 29/11/2017 7:13 am
Posts: 8613
Full Member
 

Just say you left the car unlocked with the keys in the ignition for car club people to use


 
Posted : 29/11/2017 8:35 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

you said council jobsworths so for that you should pay the fine. suck it up buttercup


 
Posted : 29/11/2017 8:40 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

My understanding is that it is only legally enforceable if accompanied with a sign on the adjacent wall

Subtle hint for next time...

Also speak to your councillors and try to get the space reallocated.


 
Posted : 29/11/2017 9:42 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

you said council jobsworths so for that you should pay the fine. suck it up buttercup

It's pretty jobsworthy and he works for the council. Seems apt. It was in no way meant to denigrate the efforts of all our public servants. Until last year I was one of their number and understand that they get a lot of unnecessary crap from all sides.


 
Posted : 29/11/2017 12:07 pm
Posts: 4097
Free Member
 

My understanding is that it is only legally enforceable if accompanied with a sign on the adjacent wall.

Anyone know the answer to this?

It's news to me, we've got a painted disabled bay on the road outside our work and there are no signs accompanying - similarly there are a couple on nearby (residential) streets and I've not noticed any signs (I might have just missed them, but there are definitely none outside our work).


 
Posted : 29/11/2017 12:20 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

You can have advisory and mandatory disabled parking bays.

Only mandatory bays can be enforced and must be properly marked, signed and have the right sort of traffic order in place. See TSRGD (the law on the topic).

NB that any blue badge holder can use a mandatory disabled space, not just the applicant. Blue badges are required for this space, so even the applicant can get a ticket if they don't display their badge.


 
Posted : 29/11/2017 12:29 pm
Posts: 16346
Free Member
 

Anyone know the answer to this?

It would be good to know for sure.

Looks like the one next door to me is not enforceable: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/parking/get-a-disabled-parking-bay-near-your-home Obviously I wouldn't use one normally but the chap this was marked for has long since died and the new owner doesn't require it. That said I rarely park there as there is usually a space outside mine.

Skimming [url= http://forums.pepipoo.com/lofiversion/index.php/t43292.html ]this thread[/url] it looks like a disabled bay needs a sign and a TRO to be legally enforceable (although you'd have to be a bit of an arse to park in one unless you know for sure it isn't required)

No idea if this is the same for car club so probably no help to the op


 
Posted : 29/11/2017 12:30 pm
Posts: 3000
Free Member
 

If it were me i d pay one and plead mitigating circumstances for the second infringement, sick child, elderly disabled mother needing home care.....its a bit mean getting done twice.

I d probably send a cheque to cover the second fine with a mitigating circumstance plea. They may or my not cash it.


 
Posted : 29/11/2017 1:47 pm
Posts: 313
Free Member
 

Can you not contest one of the tickets as you were only parked there once and have only broken the rule once?


 
Posted : 29/11/2017 2:10 pm

6 DAYS LEFT
We are currently at 95% of our target!