Disabled army veteran says ‘jobsworths’ have fined him three times for parking outside his own home
A DISABLED army veteran says “jobsworths” are forcing him to pay fines for parking outside his new Nottingham home.
Mark Johannsen, a 62-year-old former member of the special forces, was still in the process of getting a parking permit when he was slapped with three fixed penalty notices, but thought “common sense would prevail”.
“I have friends who were killed. It doesn’t seem right when you’re disabled and served your country,” he said.
Nottingham City Council said Mr Johannsen’s original application was lacking in vital details, and said this was not fixed until months later, despite repeated attempts to contact him.
Mr Johannsen, a blue badge holder due to his mobility issues, moved to Albany House in Pym Street, St Ann’s, in November.
“I moved in and immediately applied for resident parking,” he said. However, due to issues with his insurance company, he said the permit took a while to process.
The council said Mr Johannsen was repeatedly asked not to park there until the correct information had been provided and the permit approved, which eventually happened on February 5.
But he said there was nowhere else to park.
“It’s ridiculous. It’s functional jobsworths at their worst. There’s nowhere else within walking distance,” he said. “There’s no free parking. It’s either double yellow lines or resident parking. Common sense would say you’re outside your home so it’s OK. I thought common sense would prevail. I’ve done nothing wrong.”
Mr Johannsen, who is originally from Colchester, said he had no intention of paying the £70 fines. He said an original appeal had been rejected, but planned to take the claim further.