A father-of-two has been stunned after being slapped with a £50 parking fine because the parking wardens said his van was too long for the space.
Ben Williamson, 33, had taken his son to the dentist after complaining of toothache and paid for an hour of parking in the Queen’s Street car park in Louth, Lincolnshire, on Saturday.
But when he returned to his vehicle he discovered a parking ticket attached to his windscreen for ‘overlapping’.
Can you spot why this driver was fined? Ben Williamson, 33, was charged £50 for parking his van (above) in the car park in Louth, Lincolnshire despite paying for an hours parking
The self-employed plumber and builder said he accepts that his vehicle may have been too big for the space, but plans on appealing the fine because it wasn’t blocking any other vehicles from getting in or out of the car park.
Mr Williamson told Lincolnshire Live: ‘I don’t know if pathetic is the right word to describe putting a ticket on a vehicle in a car park that is obviously 18 inches too long for the space.
‘But it isn’t really stuck out any more than any other cars in the same car park.’
However, the council which runs the car park said its officers were simply following the rules.
A spokesperson for East Lindsey District Council said: ‘Our Parking Officers are asked to issue tickets in certain situations, including a vehicle not parking wholly within a marked bay.
Ben’s van protruded just 18 inches outside the parking space which he had paid for. East Lindsey District Council said that oversized vehicles are welcome but drivers must purchase a ticket for each full or partial space occupied
‘Our information on oversized vehicles states: ‘Oversized vehicles are welcomed in our car parks, where space permits. Please ensure that you purchase a machine ticket for each full or part space occupied.’
‘If a motorist feels that a Penalty Charge Notice has been given unjustly, there is a process for appealing the decision.’
Ben, who paid for one hour of parking, was so annoyed that he posted his situation on Facebook where he received a chorus of support, with one man saying he had also been fined by the council.
The self-employed plumber and builder took photos of his van parked in the space showing he was not stopping anybody from getting in or out of the car park. He plans on appealing his fine
He said: I’ve got a long wheel base transit with tow bar on back – it’s not easy to fit into standard spaces.
‘I’ve had tickets for the same reason, so take pictures and appeal. If the space isn’t big enough, it isn’t your fault.’
One supporter said: ‘This is crazy. There is nothing wrong with your parking. You might as well have parked outside the dentist if you were going to get a ticket anyway.’
Another woman added: ‘These car parking spaces are ridiculously small any way. I park here every day and you’ve parked better than I have seen most do.’