What does 'Parking adjacent to a dropped footway' actually cover?

mdavies1983 · 8 October 2009 at 2:40PM

Hi, I was at university today and parked my car OPPOSITE a dropped footway. Upon returning to my car I had been given a £70 parking ticket, £35 if I pay within 28 days. The ticket says it was issed for 'parking ADJACENT to a dropped footway'.

From my understanding parking adjacent to a dropped footway means literally parking next to it, however I was on the other side of the road. I'd usually expect dropped footways to be on both sides of the road, but for some reason this one wasn't so as far as I was concerned I was ok to park where I did. Can anybody tell me if this is correct? As I was leaving another bloke went to park where I had just left and after I advised him I'd been given a ticket for parking in that space he was as confused as I was.

Unfortunately I didn't have a camera so couldn't take any pictures, but surely this wouldn't be an issue as the parking warden would have taken one anyway which will prove my point?

michaelro · 8 October 2009 at 2:49PM

Not sure -
Parking directly opposite a driveway does mean it is more difficult for the person to drive off the driveway (Forwards).

BillyMansell · 8 October 2009 at 2:55PM

Common definitions of adjacent include next to, contiguous with or touching. From what you suggest, your car was not in an adjacent position.

I'd go back and take some photos of the car in situ then get some advice before deciding how to proceed.

mdavies1983 · 8 October 2009 at 2:57PM

Thanks, that was the impression I was under. Can anybody else confirm this?

sebdangerfield · 8 October 2009 at 3:42PM

You just need clarification as to the legal definition of 'adjacent to'.

Often there will be some confusion regarding the exact definition of a particular part in law which is mulled over and argued in court when it is challenged and then the result becomes case law, so even though we all know you wern't parking adjacent to the dropped footway as in the dictionary definition, there will probably some clarifiying case law from somewhere when it's previously been challenged.

Best thing to do is google the offence you've been done for and find the exact law.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! · 8 October 2009 at 3:44PM

Adjacent means where two lines meet to form an angle. Your car was not adjacent, it was opposite.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! · 8 October 2009 at 3:45PM

mdavies1983 wrote: »

Hi, I was at university today and parked my car OPPOSITE a dropped footway. Upon returning to my car I had been given a £70 parking ticket, £35 if I pay within 28 days. The ticket says it was issed for 'parking ADJACENT to a dropped footway'.

Are you sure about that? It should be 14 and 28 days starting on the date which the ticket was issued. Who issued the ticket?

mdavies1983 · 8 October 2009 at 3:47PM

^^ apologies it was £35 if paid within 14 days, £70 afterwards.

Thanks for everyone's replies, much appreciated!

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! · 8 October 2009 at 3:49PM

Count the days on a calendar, and make sure they've calculated them correctly. Some authorities (Oldham for instance) get them wrong, and issue invalid tickets.