Blue badge ticket row

Son of disabled man tells of anger after finding notice

THE son of a disabled man has expressed his anger after getting a park ing ticket, despite having a blue badge displayed.

Charles Symons, from Stobswell, had taken his disabled dad Jim to the shops on Sunday December 8, and parked on Commercial Street by the old registry office.

Jim’s badge was displayed in the car, which was out of the loading bay but on double yellow lines.

And despite having only been gone for around an hour, Charles admitted he was shocked to see the ticket on his car by the time he returned.

He said: “I’m not paying it. I’ve done nothing wrong. I’ve got a video to show the ticket on my car next to the blue badge.

“There was a traffic warden standing on the corner and I shouted her over to ask what I had done wrong and she couldn’t tell me why I got the ticket.”

According to the Citizens Advice website people with blue badges are usually able to park for free on streets with parking meters or pay-and-display machines for as long as they need to.

They are also permitted to leave their cars in disabled parking bays on streets for as long as needed, unless there is a sign displaying a time limit.

And disabled drivers can also park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours, unless there is a “no loading” sign.

The government also advises disabled motorists not to park where it could cause an obstruction or danger to other road users, and also advises them not to park on the pavement unless signs permit it.

Dundee City Council has confirmed drivers can appeal parking notices.

A council spokesman said: “All motorists issued with a penalty charge notice have the right to appeal and each case is considered on its own merits.”

Charlie Symons and his father Jim Symons.