Kind cabbie's parking ticket shock (From Bury Times)

Kind cabbie's parking ticket shock

11:52am Thursday 27th November 2008

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A FURIOUS cab driver is demanding an apology after being handed a parking fine while helping a disabled passenger.

Afzal Hussain parked up on Tithebarn Street around midday last Friday to assist a wheelchair passenger who wanted to use the cash machine.

But when the driver returned to his vehicle he was devastated to find he was being issued with a £30 fine, despite a nearby sign that states taxi drivers are able to stop there.

Mr Hussain, who has been a driver for the black cabs association for 12 years, said: “I was trying to do a nice thing for a customer and I get a ticket! The warden told me I couldn’t park there because I was on double yellow lines but I can because it’s our rank.

“The officers are abusing their powers and I am waiting for an apology. I have appealed against the ticket and will take them to court if I have to. What they are doing is terrible and it is not acceptable,” he continued.

Bury Council say they are investigating the case will be corresponding with the chairman of the Hackney Association over the next couple of days.

A council spokesperson said: “A penalty charge notice was issued because the taxi was left unattended in a taxi alighting area.

“While the penalty charge notice was being written out the taxi driver returned to the vehicle but a civil enforcement officer cannot cancel a parking ticket once the process of issuing has started.”

Charles Oakes, chairman of the Hackney Association, claims the parking conditions on the street are confusing and it is up to the council to make any restrictions clear before issuing fines there.

He points out that although the street is marked with double yellow lines there is a sign permitting taxis to stop and it has always been used as a rank.

Mr Oakes said: “The council has duty to adhere to the condition stated before issuing a ticket. They know there is a problem with the signs but they are not doing anything about it.

“I’m angry that despite requests the council has failed to act on continuing parking problems for taxis.”

The association hasrecently held strikes in a bid to secure more spaces in the town centre.

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