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Charity donor in ticket victory

Emilene White
12/ 9/2007

A man who got a ticket for dropping donations off at a charity shop has won his parking appeal.

John Taylor was delivering two television sets at the Wooden Canal Boat Society shop on Stamford Street, Ashton when a patroller pounced and wrote out the £60 penalty notice.

"I'd unloaded two TV sets and I was talking to the helpers in the shop when they pointed out the traffic warden," said John, 50.

"I was very annoyed. You're trying to do something constructive and then this happens. It's not a place where you're obstructing anyone or causing a danger.

"This new parking enforcement isn't improving Ashton, it's just making people's lives more difficult. Once people get to hear about it they'll be reluctant to stop off and drop things off. You've got to have traffic laws and traffic wardens, but you've also got to use common sense."

Chris Leah, who runs the shop to raise money to restore old canal boats, said: "You do have to leave the van for a little while when you're dropping stuff off.

"But it's a big problem because if people donating to charity shops start getting nicked then charity shops are going to suffer."

A council spokeswoman said: "At the time the penalty charge notice was issued, the vehicle was observed parked on double yellow lines and there was no evidence of loading or unloading taking place.

"Mr Taylor appealed, and after providing evidence of loading or unloading, the notice was waived and confirmation of this was sent to Mr Taylor on 6 September."