|
Letters to the Editor:-
"Parking in Southport"
"MY name is J Moreton. I parked on
Southport Baths, paid for a parking ticket; I put it on the dash upside down, so
the information was on it. I retained the stub receipt and had it validated in
the Baths. When I got back to the car, there is a parking ticket on my car! It
said I had failed to comply with the regulations, showing a valid parking ticket
for the duration of your stay. I have since appealed this twice. I sent in the
ticket, I sent proof I paid in the Baths. Southport Council said well it doesn't
matter, we know you have a ticket, you have paid for it, but we are still
issuing you with a ₤50 fine. I just can't understand the logic in this. I can't
understand that the council can say, we know you paid for a parking ticket, just
because you made a mistake and placed it upside down, we are still fining you
₤50."
Editor's note:- "This week we were contacted by chap who was visiting
Southport with his family and received a parking ticket, despite buying a
ticket. This has been 1 of many lately who have contacted us in relation to
parking issues in the Southport and Formby areas, so we have decided to look
into this issue."
The Ainsdale Ward Councillor, Lynne Thompson, was also contacted by Mr J Moreton
in connection to this issue and has since emailed us. She told our newsroom
that:- "I understand Mr J Moreton (a Wigan resident) has contacted you
regarding a parking charge he incurred in August this year during a visit to
Southport. Mr Moreton tells me he did purchase a valid ticket, but unfortunately
left the ticket facing down, inappropriately displayed. I did explain to Mr
Moreton a few years ago the Council had a policy of leniency with 1st and even
2nd offenders of' flipped tickets. The number of visitors to Southport who send
angry letters saying they will not return appears to suggest this was indeed the
right policy. Sadly, the Council have confirmed they have no plans to reinstate
leniency for first time offenders. The offence of not displaying a ticket
appropriately continues to prove very expensive. Sefton tell me they will
continue to consider each case on its own merits and will cancel those it deems
appropriate. I have raised this issue many times with Traffic Services."
If you have any comments on this, please do email our newsroom via:-
News24@SouthportReporter.com and let us know your views and thoughts.
|
