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Couple get parking ticket - ten years too late!
5:05pm Wednesday 13th February 2008
By Deborah Lewis »
AN outraged couple were given a parking ticket for leaving their car on double yellow lines - 10 years after the restrictions were lifted.
The council cancelled the fine after the error was pointed out by the Lancashire Telegraph.
Peter and Nicola Loftus questioned the existence of the yellow lines when they moved into their house in Haslingden Road, Guide, in June.
But they were told that the restrictions were lifted when road changes turned the area around their house into a cul-de-sac when the M65 extension opened in 1997.
The Loftuses, and their fellow residents, have always parked without problem, until Monday when a traffic warden issued their Peugeot 206 with a £30 penalty notice.
The couple challenged the warden straight away and said that they explained that the yellow lines did not apply, but it was only when the Telegraph contacted Blackburn with Darwen Council that they admitted it was a mistake and agreed to rescind the ticket.
Mr Loftus, 42, a welder in Blackburn, said: "It was ridiculous.
"We only moved in in June, but the neighbours, some of whom have been here for years, explained that the lines didn't mean anything.
"Apparently, when the road was changed, some residents asked if the lines would be burnt off, but the council said not to worry about it.
"We came running out when the warden was giving us a ticket and told him but he wasn't having any of it. He kept saying we were parked illegally."
Coun Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration, said: "The parking attendant saw a vehicle parked on double yellow and issued a ticket.
"However, after investigation, it would appear that the traffic regulation order had been revoked but the lines had not yet been removed. The yellow lines will be removed and the attendants informed not to enforce this area."
Mrs Loftus, who works at Stanwell Day Centre in Blackburn, added: "It's annoying because of the sheer inconvenience and waste of time.
"We both work full time and I had to make several phone calls and then write a letter, none of which was needed."
Your Say YourTelegraph
Numpty, The kerb says...
6:58pm Wed 13 Feb 08
And why were there four traffic wardens????
observer, hyndburn says...
7:19pm Wed 13 Feb 08
dennis, bacup says...
7:25pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Perhaps a course in how to deal with the general public as well would not go amiss as they tend to become little hitlers once the uniform is on and they never show empathy when a motorist is in distress to any parking situtation.
If the road has double yellow lines these traffic wardens will slap a ticket on your vehicle.I for one would like to know from Parkwise just how many of there own traffic wardens have received a parking ticket from them in the last 3 years,it could be quite interesting.
I fail to see how these wardens can sleep easy at night knowingly that they could have ticketed a disabled driver who is possibly on benefits and cannot afford a £30 fine as they are already impoverished and on extremly low income already, so you should be ashamed of yourselves wardens, you are nothing better than pack animals
why, says...
8:55pm Wed 13 Feb 08
snecklifter, norwest says...
9:59pm Wed 13 Feb 08
rth" gangs, who appear totally exempt from censure, being well-covered in all respects by the "faceless" ones, buried in Town Halls, have broken loose up Guide
Had one of these overzealous clots in my town, who actually stuck one of their tickets on a local undertakers hearse, when he was "fully-loaded" and ready to depart (sorry about that pun !!) outside his town centre Chapel of Rest.
Do none of these Town Hall Wallahs (ALL Grades) have no instruction or guidance on courtesy to the general public??
MARK, rishton says...
11:46pm Thu 14 Feb 08
Your sayYourTelegraph
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ANGRY: Nicola Loftus with parking ticket in Haslingden Road, Guide
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observer, Hyndburn says...
6:41pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Should Coun Alan Cottam, be renamed executive member for defending the indefensible. He always has an answer that suggests the council is never in the wrong.