Wonderful Sefton Council..
Discussion
My wife went to do some Christamas shopping tonight in Southport. She was using a Council run pay and display carpark where charges apply until 6.00p.m.
She parked up at about 6.25. pm, knowing that it was now a free car park. (The Asda/Boots/Next one if anyone knows it.)
The car park was pretty empty, so she parked slightly accross 2 narrow bays to deter the numpties that use your car door as a stop to let them know just how far they can open theirs when they stagger out.
Anyway, she returned to her car to find a fixed penalty notice for £30 slapped on her windscreen at 6.48 p.m.
Not happy.
Apparently one wheel was bordering the far side of her white line. There were no other cars within 12 bays either way from her, and at nearly 7.00 pm, shop closing time, not many more likely to appear.
As the pay side of the car park was now free, how does she stand with paying the fine.
And as the pay parking in Southport finishes at 6.00, WTF was the warden doing in a largely deserted car park anyway?
Southport wardens are utter gits, but this takes the biscuit!
She parked up at about 6.25. pm, knowing that it was now a free car park. (The Asda/Boots/Next one if anyone knows it.)
The car park was pretty empty, so she parked slightly accross 2 narrow bays to deter the numpties that use your car door as a stop to let them know just how far they can open theirs when they stagger out.
Anyway, she returned to her car to find a fixed penalty notice for £30 slapped on her windscreen at 6.48 p.m.
Not happy.
Apparently one wheel was bordering the far side of her white line. There were no other cars within 12 bays either way from her, and at nearly 7.00 pm, shop closing time, not many more likely to appear.
As the pay side of the car park was now free, how does she stand with paying the fine.
And as the pay parking in Southport finishes at 6.00, WTF was the warden doing in a largely deserted car park anyway?
Southport wardens are utter gits, but this takes the biscuit!
If she parked in the space, would there have been a ticket?
Sorry I know the numpty syndromeis prevalent in the UK but I have been visiting military sites all day today and people seem to be incapable of parking within the lines causing crap for everone else who arrives after.
Sure it may be empty when she gets there but who says its not going to change?
No sympathy. Park within the lines or dont park at all. Thats why I have a crap car to drive to the supermarket.
Sorry I know the numpty syndromeis prevalent in the UK but I have been visiting military sites all day today and people seem to be incapable of parking within the lines causing crap for everone else who arrives after.
Sure it may be empty when she gets there but who says its not going to change?
No sympathy. Park within the lines or dont park at all. Thats why I have a crap car to drive to the supermarket.
gh0st said:
If she parked in the space, would there have been a ticket?
Sorry I know the numpty syndromeis prevalent in the UK but I have been visiting military sites all day today and people seem to be incapable of parking within the lines causing crap for everone else who arrives after.
Sure it may be empty when she gets there but who says its not going to change?
No sympathy. Park within the lines or dont park at all. Thats why I have a crap car to drive to the supermarket.
Shops close at 7.00.
Huge car park nearly empty, and certainly in the corner she parked in.
Ticket at 6.45.
Fantastic.
I applaud your decision to buy a crap car to go top the supermarket.
However my wife doea about 30,000 miles a year, clean licence, no accidents, (touch wood) through being careful and using knowledge from the defensive driving courses she has been on.
She was merely parking 'defensively', so folk with crap cars to go to the supermarket in, (no offence meant, naturally) and who obviously don't give a toss, are less likely to ding her company car.
She takes pride in both her appearance and her cars. Thats why she shops late, when its quiet and is unlikely to get car park rash.
She hasn't got the option of of using a shed, but merely wishes to preserve the nice company one she has.
Perhaps if more people took care of their cars, crap or not, this issue would not arise.
>> Edited by andygo on Tuesday 14th December 21:23
andygo said:
The car park was pretty empty, so she parked slightly accross 2 narrow bays to deter the numpties that use your car door as a stop to let them know just how far they can open theirs when they stagger out.
Anyway, she returned to her car to find a fixed penalty notice for £30 slapped on her windscreen at 6.48 p.m.
Well done say I. It it the height of arrogance to park across bays. If you have an issue parking, park furthest away from the shops, park elsewhere, take alternative transport.
bluepolarbear said:
andygo said:
The car park was pretty empty, so she parked slightly accross 2 narrow bays to deter the numpties that use your car door as a stop to let them know just how far they can open theirs when they stagger out.
Anyway, she returned to her car to find a fixed penalty notice for £30 slapped on her windscreen at 6.48 p.m.
She was parked furthest away from the shops.
Anyway, whats arrogant about parking like that in a nearly empty car park?
Well done say I. It it the height of arrogance to park across bays. If you have an issue parking, park furthest away from the shops, park elsewhere, take alternative transport.
>> Edited by andygo on Tuesday 14th December 22:51
That sounds about right for Sefton MBC.
Although technically she was in the wrong, I know the carpark you speak of and as you say, the shops close 15 mins afterwards in any event.
I don't think you'll get anywhere (they're a right shower of bar stewards) but I'd be inclined to complain to your local Councillor (find them on www.sefton.gov.uk) on the lines of:
Car park bays not big enough.
What were the wardens doing at that time - past free parking time yet paid for by your Council Tax.
Common sense... etc etc. Make the Councillor earn his expenses
Might be worth a stinking letter through the Visiter letter pages too.
Have you seen the new speed indicator signs going through Ince Woods? Installed since that nasty accident a while back where a bloke wiped out his family. Funny though, thought he was pissed rather than speeding... Wonder how long before a yellow box appears through there.
(Although according to those readouts, my speedo over reads by a good 5 - 6 mph @50mph indicated)
Although technically she was in the wrong, I know the carpark you speak of and as you say, the shops close 15 mins afterwards in any event.
I don't think you'll get anywhere (they're a right shower of bar stewards) but I'd be inclined to complain to your local Councillor (find them on www.sefton.gov.uk) on the lines of:
Car park bays not big enough.
What were the wardens doing at that time - past free parking time yet paid for by your Council Tax.
Common sense... etc etc. Make the Councillor earn his expenses
Might be worth a stinking letter through the Visiter letter pages too.
Have you seen the new speed indicator signs going through Ince Woods? Installed since that nasty accident a while back where a bloke wiped out his family. Funny though, thought he was pissed rather than speeding... Wonder how long before a yellow box appears through there.
(Although according to those readouts, my speedo over reads by a good 5 - 6 mph @50mph indicated)
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff