SPECIAL REPORT

Festive parkers given fines at Dinton

A WOKINGHAM man is furious his father picked up his first parking ticket in 50 years – after visiting Dinton Pastures.

Garry Swan was also hit with a £50 fine following a family Boxing Day outing to the park.

The double whammy came despite Garry checking the RingGo parking app which stated parking was free on bank holidays.

Now he is calling on Wokingham Borough Council to update the app site fearing other drivers could be caught out.

“When we arrived at Dinton, there was a large queue at the parking meter,” explained Garry.

“However, I’d already checked RingGo which clearly stated parking was free. After spending a pleasant morning in the park, we returned to find my car and my dad’s both had tickets.

“Dad has been driving for 50 years and this was the first fine he has ever picked up.

“Both of us were furious, especially Dad.”

Garry challenged the ticket that evening and a week later he was told the fines would be cancelled.

“The council didn’t actually apologise for their mistake. It was a very brief message but they added I should not park illegally again but as far as I am concerned I did not park illegally in the first place.

“The council claim there are notices at Dinton warning parking charges still apply. However, they are not very visible and if people travel there after checking RingGo, they will be annoyed to find parking isn’t free after all. I hope the council update the information before Easter when many other drivers could be caught out.”

Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways and transport at Wokingham Borough Council said: “We apologise for the error and encourage anyone who received a penalty charge notice on this day at Dinton to appeal it. Details of how to do so are on the ticket.

“We’re liaising with RingGo so it doesn’t happen again.”