Parking fine is a 'slap in the face'

A PLYMOUTH pensioner stung by a penalty notice for parking in a disabled-only car park has said there were no clear markings which showed it was for blue badge holders only.

- ANDY PHILLIPS

Malcolm Bassett-Smith was fined £35 for parking in the council car park on Cornwall Street, adjacent to Marks and Spencers, earlier this month.

The authority has already rejected an appeal, telling him that public spaces 'are and have always been for blue badge holders and motorcycles only! However, a photo taken by The Herald shows there is nothing on signage at the entrance to the car park saying it is for blue badge holders only while photos taken by Mr Bassett-Smith show markings in the bays have almost entirely disappeared.

The council rejected Mr BassettSmith's appeal, saying the markings are 'correct and in line with regulations' But when contacted by The Herald, the authority has said they will shortly be 'refreshing all the markings and updating the signage as part of that! Mr Bassett-Smith is now taking the authority to task over the issue, and is warning others not to fall into the same trap.

"It was not just one space, it's a whole bank of them," he said.