Irvine Times | News | Don't be duped by unfair £30 car parking fines...

Monday, 8th September, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 18th June, 2008 09:00

Don't be duped by unfair £30 car parking fines...

By Alistair Neil

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A DREGHORN man has started a one-man campaign to warn unsuspecting Irvine drivers they may be at risk from parking fines.

William Dennis has hit-out after discovering a parking fine on his car - in a space he has parked in without any trouble for the last four years.

The controversy relates to the town’s East Road car park, opposite Aldi supermarket, after Mr Dennis received a fine for parking in a space next to a wall that is not in a designated parking bay, but is still used by drivers unable to park elsewhere in the car park.

He blasted: “I got back to the car and saw the fine for £30 on my car. I wasn’t parked on any yellow lines and there were no signs indicating I should not be parked there.

“It was issued by a traffic warden and I was not the only one getting hit with the fines.”

The local resident has written to the police to complain about the fine but has also taken action by designing a sign warning people about the risks of parking in the same space and also in a similar space next to another wall in the car park.

When the Times investigated we discovered the first area had space for two vehicles, whilst the other space was being used by three cars.

Mr Dennis added: “If there was something that suggested vehicles should not be parking there then fair enough.

“But what’s annoying is the fact there is nothing at all stating cars should not be parked there, yet fines are still being issued.”

Another angry motorist, who did not want to be named said: “I don’t think handing out fines is fair, especially when parking there causes no obstructions.

“Is this just a sneaky method used by the council to get us all on buses?”

Since Mr Dennis’ protest a new sign has been raised in the car park - although it fails to state cars should not be parked in the areas in question.

The council failed to confirm whether there were plans to paint lines or put up further signs in the complained areas before we went to press.