Parking mad: Penalty tickets are halted over probe into ‘illegal’ meters (From Thisisdorset)
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Parking mad: Penalty tickets are halted over probe into ‘illegal’ meters
9:00am Saturday 15th September 2012 in Latest By Jane Reader
PAY AND DISPLAY? Parking meter in Westover Road, Bournemouth. Picture: Richard Crease
PARKING meters raking in hundreds of thousands of pounds a year across Bournemouth could be illegal.
The council is carrying out an urgent assessment after a judgement claiming Traffic Regulation Orders may be wrongly worded.
It says it is “confident” the town’s 98 parking meters are legal but has suspended parking enforcement in these areas while an assessment is carried out, meaning that motorists without parking tickets will not be fined.
However, the parking meters themselves are still in operation – they currently generate £773,000 a year for the council.
The Daily Echo has been told that an appeal against a penalty charge notice revealed a possible error.
It is believed the dispute centres around whether or not the order specifies where a ticket must be displayed in the vehicle.
Mike Holmes, service director for planning and transport services, said: “We are confident the use of all parking meters to regulate parking across Bournemouth is legal.
“The Independent Adjudicator’s decision related to the legal documentation behind parking enforcement at a particular area where a pay and display meter is located.
“As a result we are currently assessing the legal documentation for all areas where street pay and display meters are located.
“During this time we have suspended enforcement at these locations.
“This is being looked at as a matter of urgency and enforcement action could be reinstated at any time without notice.
“We would therefore urge motorists to continue following the pay and display instructions in accordance with the signage.
“It is also important to note that parking enforcement for all others areas of on street and off street will continue as normal.”
A Bournemouth council spokesman said the issue does not relate to wording on ticket machines and said no legal precedent has been set.
Parking meters have been gradually introduced across Bournemouth over the last seven years and are placed in some of the town centre’s busiest roads including Westover Road, Hinton Road, Richmond Hill, Old Christchurch Road, Bourne Avenue and Madeira Road.
Cllr Michael Filer, cabinet member with responsibility for transport, said: “This is purely an operational issue and I’ve instructed officers to deal with it as a matter of urgency.”
Comments(36)
fedupwithfedupjobsworths
says...
10:10am Sat 15 Sep 12
ElmerFudd
says...
10:33am Sat 15 Sep 12
pete woodley
says...
11:16am Sat 15 Sep 12
BmthNewshound
says...
11:44am Sat 15 Sep 12
penhale
says...
12:09pm Sat 15 Sep 12
Dixi
says...
12:18pm Sat 15 Sep 12
pete woodley
says...
12:29pm Sat 15 Sep 12
fedupwithfedupjobsworths
says...
12:32pm Sat 15 Sep 12
Dixi wrote:Oh yes I am sure they all stick to rules.
Please get your facts right before levelling accusations...... These 'all-area permits' are ONLY to be used on council business. So, if you spot one on a car over the weekend, report it! This information comes from a Councillor friend of mine - although he is not from the Bournemouth Council!
Dixi
says...
1:02pm Sat 15 Sep 12
pete woodley wrote:And who do you get your information from then, Peter? . And while we are still considered to be a democracy, I will always wish to hear both sides of every story before I make any comment.
It must be great to have councillor friends that you can get your info from.how very quaint.
Dixi
says...
1:07pm Sat 15 Sep 12
fedupwithfedupjobswoWithin the area of Dorset, using such a pass when not on Council business, could be perceived as an attempt to defraud a Council - and as such, could be considered a criminal offence.
rths wrote:
Dixi wrote:Oh yes I am sure they all stick to rules.
Please get your facts right before levelling accusations...... These 'all-area permits' are ONLY to be used on council business. So, if you spot one on a car over the weekend, report it! This information comes from a Councillor friend of mine - although he is not from the Bournemouth Council!
saynomore
says...
4:18pm Sat 15 Sep 12
pete woodley
says...
5:07pm Sat 15 Sep 12
Dixi wrote:I certainly do not learn anything from councillors,thats for sure.you must do.
pete woodley wrote:And who do you get your information from then, Peter? . And while we are still considered to be a democracy, I will always wish to hear both sides of every story before I make any comment.
It must be great to have councillor friends that you can get your info from.how very quaint.
sparkie64
says...
5:19pm Sat 15 Sep 12
Arjay
says...
5:36pm Sat 15 Sep 12
saynomore wrote:The machines I've used that don't give change have written on the front instructions that tell you 'this machine doesn't give change'.
Surely it is also illegal to deprive people of their change when paying for parking.
If you then chose to put in more money than you need to, then that's your choice.
How can that be illegal?....
robsmith123
says...
7:23pm Sat 15 Sep 12
Lucky leopard ( of the snow variety) says I.
Bob49
says...
8:21pm Sat 15 Sep 12
To whom, may I ask ?
The department for Handwring and General Dithering, perhaps.
The 'tut tutter in chief', maybe ?
The council does and will do nothing. Any follow up phone calls are met with a response of 'we are still looking onto it", 'the person dealing with y'ur ishooooooo is on holiday', 'out of the office', 'away feeding the cat' etc
And if you seriously think that a councillor or council employee won't know their way round such requirements then you are a fool.
As are the rest of us if anyone thinks that anyone will be held accountable for this.
ps if they are found to be illegal I wonder what the council will do with all this money they acquired 'under false pretences' ?
Dixi
says...
9:19pm Sat 15 Sep 12
pete woodley wrote:Get real Pete. You haven't answered my question. "where do you get your information from"? I at least am able to give you comments that are factual.
Dixi wrote:I certainly do not learn anything from councillors,thats for sure.you must do.
pete woodley wrote:And who do you get your information from then, Peter? . And while we are still considered to be a democracy, I will always wish to hear both sides of every story before I make any comment.
It must be great to have councillor friends that you can get your info from.how very quaint.
So what do you and those who make comments like you, think that a Council actually does? You obviously believe that parking should be completely unregulated - anyone should be allowed to build anything anywhere - nobody should be responsible for road surfacing - there should be NO regulated refuse collections or recycling - restaurants should be unregulated when it comes to food safety and of course pubs and clubs should be allowed to sell alcohol whenever they like...and this being just a fraction of what a Council does. I also expect that you believe that your Council Tax forms 100% of the budget. If you are ignorant of these facts, I would suggest you check your local Council's website to see what they actually do.
Dixi
says...
9:39pm Sat 15 Sep 12
Bob49 wrote:I'm sure you already know this - but your local Council will have a formal complaints procedure. Get a copy of it from Customer Services - and READ IT. If you should spot one of these permits, get the number of the permit and the registration number of the vehicle, then request information as to why it was there with the permit. It certainly worked for me. Simples!
"So, if you spot one on a car over the weekend, report it! "
To whom, may I ask ?
The department for Handwring and General Dithering, perhaps.
The 'tut tutter in chief', maybe ?
The council does and will do nothing. Any follow up phone calls are met with a response of 'we are still looking onto it", 'the person dealing with y'ur ishooooooo is on holiday', 'out of the office', 'away feeding the cat' etc
And if you seriously think that a councillor or council employee won't know their way round such requirements then you are a fool.
As are the rest of us if anyone thinks that anyone will be held accountable for this.
ps if they are found to be illegal I wonder what the council will do with all this money they acquired 'under false pretences' ?
bobthedestroyer
says...
10:21pm Sat 15 Sep 12
Dixi wrote:Unfortunately, there is a lot of wastage in the public sector, this in turns fuels the vies of people who view the Council as a waste of space. Its a double-edged sword. Dixi you are right, and so, unfortunately, is Pete.
pete woodley wrote:Get real Pete. You haven't answered my question. "where do you get your information from"? I at least am able to give you comments that are factual.
Dixi wrote:I certainly do not learn anything from councillors,thats for sure.you must do.
pete woodley wrote:And who do you get your information from then, Peter? . And while we are still considered to be a democracy, I will always wish to hear both sides of every story before I make any comment.
It must be great to have councillor friends that you can get your info from.how very quaint.
So what do you and those who make comments like you, think that a Council actually does? You obviously believe that parking should be completely unregulated - anyone should be allowed to build anything anywhere - nobody should be responsible for road surfacing - there should be NO regulated refuse collections or recycling - restaurants should be unregulated when it comes to food safety and of course pubs and clubs should be allowed to sell alcohol whenever they like...and this being just a fraction of what a Council does. I also expect that you believe that your Council Tax forms 100% of the budget. If you are ignorant of these facts, I would suggest you check your local Council's website to see what they actually do.
EGHH
says...
6:39am Sun 16 Sep 12
grumpyolddear
says...
9:42am Sun 16 Sep 12
pete woodley
says...
9:47am Sun 16 Sep 12
ssl1988
says...
11:00am Sun 16 Sep 12
pete woodley wrote:Pete I'm sure you mean well but you arogant and patronising attitude gives you the allure of ones of these council jobsworths! If Dixi is on a high horse one can only presume your on a high horse with stilts. Please dont waste your time replying to this as it is very unlikely you will say something constructive.....
Dixi,your superior attitude would leave me to believe,you are one of the clique.I have not just come out of the jungle,i have had a lot of dealings with the council,and was for two years chairman of tenants and leaseholders.Get of your high horse,Bob49 is right about the excuses made if you try to talk to someone at the town hall or other offices,"out the office" "at a meeting","off sick",i have had it used many times,there are good and bad at the town hall,but a lot have the same "i am better than you" attitude,that you show here.
pete woodley
says...
11:29am Sun 16 Sep 12
pete woodley
says...
11:31am Sun 16 Sep 12
Dixi
says...
12:08pm Sun 16 Sep 12
ssl1988 wrote:Thankyou SSL1988. It is indeed pointless to continue this debate with Pete Woodley. He doesn't appear to accept that I most definitely AM NOT a Councillor (and indeed would never be one! I don't think I could stand the constant criticism they have to hear but are never allowed to respond to!)As I said before, I do have a friend who is, but not in Bournemouth so it is helpful to view both sides of the situation. I can't imagine why Pete considers my suggestion of contacting Customer Services with complaints, as getting "on my high horse"!!! Surely, my suggestion of dealing with any dissatisfaction this way, is far more constructive than whingeing online about it from his armchair?
pete woodley wrote:Pete I'm sure you mean well but you arogant and patronising attitude gives you the allure of ones of these council jobsworths! If Dixi is on a high horse one can only presume your on a high horse with stilts. Please dont waste your time replying to this as it is very unlikely you will say something constructive.....
Dixi,your superior attitude would leave me to believe,you are one of the clique.I have not just come out of the jungle,i have had a lot of dealings with the council,and was for two years chairman of tenants and leaseholders.Get of your high horse,Bob49 is right about the excuses made if you try to talk to someone at the town hall or other offices,"out the office" "at a meeting","off sick",i have had it used many times,there are good and bad at the town hall,but a lot have the same "i am better than you" attitude,that you show here.
pete woodley
says...
12:22pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Bob49
says...
12:27pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Dixi wrote:Patronising twaddle !
Bob49 wrote:I'm sure you already know this - but your local Council will have a formal complaints procedure. Get a copy of it from Customer Services - and READ IT. If you should spot one of these permits, get the number of the permit and the registration number of the vehicle, then request information as to why it was there with the permit. It certainly worked for me. Simples!
"So, if you spot one on a car over the weekend, report it! "
To whom, may I ask ?
The department for Handwring and General Dithering, perhaps.
The 'tut tutter in chief', maybe ?
The council does and will do nothing. Any follow up phone calls are met with a response of 'we are still looking onto it", 'the person dealing with y'ur ishooooooo is on holiday', 'out of the office', 'away feeding the cat' etc
And if you seriously think that a councillor or council employee won't know their way round such requirements then you are a fool.
As are the rest of us if anyone thinks that anyone will be held accountable for this.
ps if they are found to be illegal I wonder what the council will do with all this money they acquired 'under false pretences' ?
Yes I already know as do many others, but it matters little if the council responds with the usual excuses (as above).
Nothing gets done.
Although I'm sure we would all welcome hrearing about your exception to this 'rule'. Name of 'miscreant' councillor/council employee, sanction applied etc
I shall await your reply, which I hope will be a bit speedier than Bournemouth Town Hall.
Finbarr Finkelstein
says...
11:50am Mon 17 Sep 12
Instead of playing Russian roulette.
Finbarr Finkelstein
says...
11:53am Mon 17 Sep 12
Mike Pickering
says...
4:24pm Mon 17 Sep 12
pete woodley
says...
4:30pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Finbarr Finkelstein wrote:Why are you not at school.
Woodley etc, I hope that you sniping buffoons do not hold public office.
ShuttleX
says...
6:46pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Dixi wrote:I don't think you will get many people agreeing with you Mr Beesley. I certainly don't.
pete woodley wrote:Get real Pete. You haven't answered my question. "where do you get your information from"? I at least am able to give you comments that are factual.
Dixi wrote:I certainly do not learn anything from councillors,thats for sure.you must do.
pete woodley wrote:And who do you get your information from then, Peter? . And while we are still considered to be a democracy, I will always wish to hear both sides of every story before I make any comment.
It must be great to have councillor friends that you can get your info from.how very quaint.
So what do you and those who make comments like you, think that a Council actually does? You obviously believe that parking should be completely unregulated - anyone should be allowed to build anything anywhere - nobody should be responsible for road surfacing - there should be NO regulated refuse collections or recycling - restaurants should be unregulated when it comes to food safety and of course pubs and clubs should be allowed to sell alcohol whenever they like...and this being just a fraction of what a Council does. I also expect that you believe that your Council Tax forms 100% of the budget. If you are ignorant of these facts, I would suggest you check your local Council's website to see what they actually do.
pete woodley
says...
7:28pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Dixi
says...
11:09pm Mon 17 Sep 12
ShuttleX wrote:I'm laughing in disbelief here at some of the absurd comments. Is this really how this forum runs? Doesn't anyone have anything constructive to say apart from trading such rude and ignorant comments to each other?
Dixi wrote:I don't think you will get many people agreeing with you Mr Beesley. I certainly don't.
pete woodley wrote:Get real Pete. You haven't answered my question. "where do you get your information from"? I at least am able to give you comments that are factual.
Dixi wrote:I certainly do not learn anything from councillors,thats for sure.you must do.
pete woodley wrote:And who do you get your information from then, Peter? . And while we are still considered to be a democracy, I will always wish to hear both sides of every story before I make any comment.
It must be great to have councillor friends that you can get your info from.how very quaint.
So what do you and those who make comments like you, think that a Council actually does? You obviously believe that parking should be completely unregulated - anyone should be allowed to build anything anywhere - nobody should be responsible for road surfacing - there should be NO regulated refuse collections or recycling - restaurants should be unregulated when it comes to food safety and of course pubs and clubs should be allowed to sell alcohol whenever they like...and this being just a fraction of what a Council does. I also expect that you believe that your Council Tax forms 100% of the budget. If you are ignorant of these facts, I would suggest you check your local Council's website to see what they actually do.
Now ShuttleX thinks I'm the leader of the Council now!! - by saying "I don't think you will get many people agreeing with you Mr Beesley. I certainly don't.” It seems none of you will accept anything I've discussed before. I'm sorry to disappoint you gentlemen, (the title is a little too complimentary for some) but...
1) The last time I looked in the mirror, I'm sure I was a woman.
2) There is no point in continuing a debate when the other parties start to fabricate nonsense within their argument.
whataboutthat says...
9:12am Sat 15 Sep 12
Intriguing...