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Double trouble

Emilene White
8/ 8/2007

AN Ashton businessman who successfully challenged a parking fine has been slapped with another penalty charge notice - in exactly the same spot.

Rob Stewart was ticketed for parking his car outside his business on Stamford Street on double yellow lines.

But he disputed the fine, appealing to the National Parking Adjudication Service, saying the markings were invalid as the double yellow lines are not capped with a bar.

Tameside Council subsquently wrote to Mr Stewart to say they had dropped the case.

Mr Stewart, 47, said: "I displayed both the letter from NPAS and and the letter from the council on my dashboard but the parking attendant still wrote out the ticket after reading them.

"He even phoned his manager and explained in great detail but was still told to issue the ticket.

"It's a ridiculous situation."

He said he would dispute this ticket as well.

"It's one thing for the council to clear the streets of vehicles but this must affect local business and shoppers alike.

"They are forcing businesses out. I don't want to relocate but we may be forced to," he said.

A council spokesman said: "The independent adjudicator has not judged this case but we withdrew in this particular instance to carry out further further investigations, which are continuing.

"However, we would warn local people these road markings are in accordance with legal orders which will be enforced."