GIVING PARKING TICKETS TO SNOWBOUND CARS IS ‘A DISGRACE & SHAMEFUL’
A SNOWBOARDER has become an internet sensation after he videoed himself gliding down onto the beach at Morfa Nefyn.
James Tatham who has just returned from a snowboarding holiday to Japan, never dreamt that he could ever do the same in his home village.
But over the weekend the Llyn Peninsula, in Gwynedd, experienced one of its biggest snow falls in a generation, and James and his friends couldn’t get enough of it.
The 35 year-old, who runs two internet businesses from Morfa Nefyn, said: “I’ve never seen so much snow in the village.
“I’ve just been to Japan snowboarding for two weeks and never thought I’d be able to board at home.”
“Waking up at 7am and seeing the snow meant I had to get an old board out of the garage and snowboard down the Beach Road.”
VEHICLES stranded by overnight snow were slapped with parking tick- ets.
The cars were left at short notice by workers in Pwllheli caught out by the heaviest snowfall to hit Pen Llyn, Gwynedd in a generation.
Several inches of snow fell on villages such as Aberdaron and Mynytho and many villages, such as Abersoch, were effectively cut off, forcing people to make their way home by whatever means available.
But when people returned to pick up their cars when the weather eased on Saturday at least five cars had been issued with £50 parking tickets.
The actions of the traffic warden sparked a furious reaction locally.
Liz Williams, who lives in the town, said: “Given that several roads in the area remained closed due to the exceptional weather circumstances it is quite possible some of the owners had to leave the cars in Pwllheli.
“I was on High Street when the traffic warden was there and she was making note of number plates on cars that had obviously been there overnight as they were still covered in snow.”
Ms Williams said all the vehicles were properly parked and were not causing an obstruction.
Responding to the concerns raised, a Gwynedd Council spokesman said: “Anyone who believes they have been unfairly issued a parking ticket can appeal by following the advice on their ticket.
“All appeals are thoroughly assessed on their merits and consideration given to the individual circumstances.”
There was also an angry backlash online.
Writing on Facebook Donna Carl Salkeld said: “That’s a dis- grace in weather like this.
“They know people can’t move there cars from some places. Couldn’t believe she (warden) was out!”
Lester Hughes said: “It’s a little bit shameful, when Pwllheli is just getting back on its feet from some of the worst weather in years, that someone would consider making a profit out of them being stuck in snow.”