ngry, confused and very upset over a disabled space parking ticket

MDBJ

I would thoroughly recommend that you appeal in more detail but do so quickly so its likely to be considered alongside your emailed version. I'd also explain that you felt that the space provided was insufficient and that is the reason for your letter. Include a copy of your BB and explain that you are new to it and this was the 1st/2nd/3rd time etc that you had used it. The council can exercise its discretion so you never know.

computersaysnoagain

Lets hope they show compassion and help you out.. Yes you do have to always show the clock to protect yourself, but hey we are human so mistakes happen.xx

sheeps68

I'm afraid I've also done it and its the lack of clock. Any time limited bay you always need the clock to show what time you arrived so they work out the 3 hour limit based on that. I do hope your council are kind to you but I wouldnt like to be sure. Mine wasn't. I have since decided display the clock regardless of situation so I do not make the mistake again. Its so difficult to know all the regulations isn't it especially with differing boroughs and councils each doing different. Hence my decision always set clock as a safety net in case one authority need it when another does not.

jakes-mum

Im really hoping so too it surprises me as its the same council that runs the carparks in my town and the one I went to today, we come under the same district council, yet in my town the car park attendants have never fined me for no clock and I often see them checking the cars in the disabled bit as I come back to my car but this one they have done. I really wish i'd just stuck it out 'just in case' but I rely on being told what to do by signs, others as my memory is terrible (i've gone to bed leaving doors unlocked, left gas on, put milk in the cupboard, taken stuff out of the oven with no gloves because ive forgotten that its hot!) so it never even occured to me as it wasnt on the sign Its things that this that make me realise just how disabling my disability is (sorry that sounds really strange!)
Im writing a supporting letter outlining why i wasnt displaying a badge. Hopefully even if they dont waive my fine they might change the signs to include the need of a clock as some peoples mental illnesses might cause them to do the same thing as me

vax2002

I think you only need the clock to park on restricted roadways with yellow lines, it is not necessary in the of street parking, however on the website it states clock should be used, you would need to note what the signs say in the car park.
Do you have any pictures of the signs in the carpark.

Richie-from-the-Boro

- appeal & apologise and promise never to do it again
- the fact of the matter is its your responsibility in law to know which are .. .. and which are not time limited
- the clock is the measure of the time, and you were in a maximum 3 hour space

I've always thought that not making it mandatory legal requirement to display ' clock requirements ' on the parking signage, was / is / a mistake / oversight in the drafting legislation. For example having a clock as well as a wheelchair on the sign would have avoided this misunderstood area.

I'll be amazed if you are punished rather than [STRIKE]warned[/STRIKE] educated, and if you are punished for this oversight and it is your first offence I would go straight to the local press / radio / MP / councillor etc.

Best of luck

jakes-mum

Hi vax2002, yep I have a picture on husbands phone of the sign and it definitely only says valid diabled badge which is why i thought no clock. I also was under the impression it was only for parking on yellow lines etc, but by everyone else's posts I was very wrong Lesson learnt, always always display the clock! am definitely going to get one of those holders so I cant ever forget.

really hoping they will be kind to me and give me a stern letter on correct blue badge useage £35 is steep for an mistake, i would have totally understood if I was abusing the space

Thank you though everyone for confirming about the clock and ways to try and get them to be nice to me, its very much appreciated

Also thank you richie, yes was definitely my first offence, and as they say ignorance is no excuse, my money is now in the hands of someone at the council office, lets just hope hes having a really good day

welshsue

I live in Powys, wales. I only need to use the blue badge in car parks, not clock. Not sure about double yellow lines, will have to check on that one. There are no time limits on disabled bays.

Zziggi

I'm pretty sure that TECHNICALLY a blue badge is only valid when used in conjunction with the clock thingy. Most places tho' you can get away with not using the clock.

I'd bet my bottom dollar the clock is the reason for the ticket. I doubt arguing that the sign didn't specifically mention the clock will get you very far. Annoying but take it on the chin & learn the lesson

Richie-from-the-Boro

jakes-mum wrote: »

Hi vax2002, yep I have a picture on husbands phone of the sign and it definitely only says valid diabled badge which is why i thought no clock. I also was under the impression it was only for parking on yellow lines etc, but by everyone else's posts I was very wrong Lesson learnt, always always display the clock! am definitely going to get one of those holders so I cant ever forget.

really hoping they will be kind to me and give me a stern letter on correct blue badge useage £35 is steep for an mistake, i would have totally understood if I was abusing the space

Thank you though everyone for confirming about the clock and ways to try and get them to be nice to me, its very much appreciated

Also thank you richie, yes was definitely my first offence, and as they say ignorance is no excuse, my money is now in the hands of someone at the council office, lets just hope hes having a really good day

I would not have paid before appeal, only after I'd lost the appeal. Once the money is in the monolithic council system it involves multitudes of different departments and is more difficult to get a discretionary decision made.

If you read the URL I posted it clearly states the legalities of how you were caught :

- both the Blue Badge and Clock should be displayed at all times
- no charge for a maximum of 3 hours
- short stay car park

I'm sure you will get a ' rocket ' and your refund, this however may / will change after January 2012