Irene’s anger over ticket for parking ‘out of bay’ (From This Is Cheshire)

Irene’s anger over ticket for parking ‘out of bay’

1:00pm Saturday 31st March 2007 in News By Sarah Harker

A CHARITY worker has had her hopes dashed after the council agreed to consider overturning a parking fine.

St Rocco's volunteer Irene Priest was fined for leaving her car in a free car park in Pepper Street, Lymm, on Saturday.

A hospice volunteer for more than 18 years, the 76-year-old widow left her car in the car park to work in the St Rocco's shop.

After a six-hour shift, she returned to find she had been ticketed and fined for parking beyond bay markings.

The penalty ticket ordered her to pay £30 within 14 days or face a higher penalty of £60.

She insists that there were no markings and that she wasn't obstructing other drivers.

She said: "If it's illegal to park there then they should paint double yellow lines. I'm left with no option but to pay but I won't do it without making a fuss.

"I'm sure some other poor soul has been caught out this way as well. I'm very annoyed by it as I always park there and have never been ticketed before.

"There were no markings and nothing to say you'd be fined if you parked there."

After the Guardian initially contacted the council, it seemed that the fine would be overturned but in a swift turnaround, Mrs Priest was contacted by a member of the transport department to say it would be upheld.

Phil Johnson, head of transport said: "The council has assessed the car park at Pepper Street in Lymm and will be repainting the bay markings where necessary. We have contacted Mrs Priest directly to resolve the matter.

"Anyone who wants to appeal against a penalty fine should contact the number on the reverse of the ticket and they will assess each case individually."