£70 fine ‘riles’ care worker
SHE WAS SLAPPED WITH PARKING TICKET WHILE VISITING A CLIENT ON HER ROUNDS
A CARE worker has vented her frustration after receiving a parking ticket while she was visiting a client on her rounds.
The incident happened on January 21 when Marie Burnett, a care worker from Basford, parked on the road outside her client’s home in Mapperley.
Midway through her 30-minute appointment with the client, Ms Burnett explained she had to pop out to get shopping items for them.
As she stepped outside, she noticed a council warden issuing a ticket on her car parked in Westdale Lane, Mapperley.
The road has a single yellow line in some parts, and there is no parking permitted in these locations from 8am to 6pm each day.
Ms Burnett, 41, said: “I saw the warden and he asked if it was my car, before saying I was not supposed to park here. I told him cars park along here all the time and that’s when he noticed my uniform.
“He asked if I was a care worker and he did apologise then, but said it had already been put through the system. My question is, I am out as a key worker - are traffic wardens essential?” Ms Burnett said a witness across the street claimed he had seen a warden pull up and issue the ticket immediately.
She added: “I thought they were supposed to wait a few minutes at least? I wasn’t obstructing any traffic and I even saw a car there on my rounds today.”
She has recently started working in the Gedling area and claims she did not see a ‘very small sign’ indicating parking was not allowed in the area.
Ms Burnett has appealed her £70 fine, which is reduced to £30 if paid within two weeks, although she is concerned how long it will take for her appeal to be responded to.
“It wasn’t a social call, I was out doing a job. We should really be able to get permits,” Ms Burnett added.
“It is worrying going out with Covid floating around and I am just doing the best I can - I really do not need this now.”
Parking charges were relaxed in designated parking zones during the first lockdown across city and county areas to help people who were still having to travel.
The Post contacted Gedling Borough Council to ask about the fixed penalty notice. A spokesman confirmed the notice was issued based on the unsafe location Ms Burnett’s car was parked on.
Deputy Leader, Councillor Michael Payne, said: “We understand that an appeal has already been made by the resident.
“We have also contacted Nottinghamshire County Council, who are responsible for parking enforcement, and asked if they can show leniency on this occasion and advise the resident about the importance of parking safely in the future.”
Gareth Johnson, Enforcement Manager at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “The County Council is aware that Miss Burnett has received a Penalty Charge Notice when her vehicle was left parked on a restriction on Westdale Lane, Gedling.
“Miss Burnett’s vehicle did not have a permit which would have prevented the PCN being issued. Miss Burnett has though appealed and will receive a favourable response shortly.”