CAMPAIGNERS against the parking policy in Uttoxeter have attacked the borough council after they didnt overturn an unfair parking ticket despite pressure from the town MP.
The authority have rebuked Uttoxeter MP Andrew Griffiths’ attempt to get Jackie Metcalfe’s parking fine withdrawn, a fine given to her in the Trinity Road car park as she took her ill mother to the doctors.
Mr Griffiths believed that it was unreasonable, given the lack of signage at Trinity Road, to get ticketed in her cicrumstances.
There is signage in the bays on The Maltings and Carter Square car park’s but campaigners say there is none at in short stay bays in Trinity Road.
Andrew Griffiths is believed to be taking further action.
Dave Denny, from an action group against the parking policy in Uttoxeter, told the Advertiser the ticketing in this case was ‘pedantic nonsense’.
He said: “I think it’s unbelievable that the powers that be can ignore the opinion of an MP, someone of education, integrity and no bias, who holds a senior political office, when they believe the ticketing wasn’t reasonable in the circumstances.
“This is just pedantic nonsense which does not make the ill feeling towards the aggressive and unyielding parking policy any better.
“The signage in Trinity Road is woefully inadequate compared with the other two car parks. It’s unfair and also very unsympathetic as Jackie was taking her ill mother to the doctors at the time.
“We believe Jackie is justified in taking her appeal all the way and we will support her in this.” A spokesman for Andrew Griffiths confirmed that the matter had been taken up by the Uttoxeter MP.
He said: “Andrew Griffiths said he took the case to East Staffordshire Borough Council as he would for any constituent that felt they had been treated unfairly.
“After looking at the evidence, Andy O’Brien, the East Staffordshire chief executive, felt that the penalty notice had been issued correctly.” A council spokesman said: “The council must ensure that all parking appeals are handled in a fair and consistent manner.
“The tariff boards in the Trinity Road car park make it very clear that charges apply to Blue Badge holders in the short stay bays and Blue Badge holders are advised when they are granted a badge that it is their responsibility to check the regulations that apply in all off-street parking and not assume they can park for free.”
