Disabled bay parking row

2:15pm Friday 8th August 2008

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PARKING attendants in west Wiltshire have been accused of coming down too hard on disabled drivers for minor breaches of parking rules.

Last Friday, at least two disabled motorists were given tickets for their cars being outside the parking bay, in one case by just a matter of inches.

Pensioner Robert Lewis, 87, was handed a ticket and ordered to pay a £50 fine after he parked in a disabled bay in Fore Street and his front wheel was a few inches over the white line.

Mr Lewis, of Bradley Lane in Holt, said: "I pointed out to the parking officer that the tyre of the front offside wheel was actually resting on the white line but she insisted the charge should stand.

"Three of the wheels were well within the space provided and I wasn't stopping any traffic from getting past.

"I passed my test in 1939 and have had a completely clean driving licence ever since they really need to deal with the habitual offenders.

"I am a pensioner and find great difficulty getting in and out of the car, I use a swivel cushion, and I find difficulty walking even a short distance and use a tri-wheel walker which I need to unload from the car."

Across the street, another disabled lady was also given a ticket for the rear wheels of her car being over the disabled parking bay.

Jenny Collis, of Yeoman Way in Trowbridge, parked her car in another disabled bay in Fore Street, but left her rear wheels overlapping into the loading bay next door as there was a delivery van blocking the rest of the disabled bay.

She said: "I thought I was being considerate in leaving enough space for the delivery van driver to get into the back of his van.

"I wasn't blocking the loading bay and people could still get in there and park. "The delivery van was parked there for at least 45 minutes but the parking officer said that was allowed. Why couldn't he have parked in the loading bay instead and left the disabled bay for people who really need it?"

Both Mr Lewis and Mrs Collis are contesting their tickets and have lodged appeals with West Wiltshire District Council.

A spokesman for the district council said: "With regard to the parking issues, unfortunately we are not able to discuss or make comments regarding individual Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) cases, especially those that have not gone to appeal.

"If a member of the public receives a PCN and they believe it has been issued incorrectly they have the right to appeal."