Councillor parked in disabled bay

Neal Keeling

January 22, 2008

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A COUNCILLOR is facing a £60 fine after leaving his car in a disabled parking bay.

Solicitor Tony Harold, who is a Labour councillor for Ordsall, Salford, said he had `made a mistake' and regretted it.

He was caught out after parking at Swinton Civic Centre.

His actions have been condemned by opposition councillors.

But Coun Harold has dismissed as untrue allegations by Liberal Democrats that he tried to get out of paying the fine.

He said: "It was a mistake on my part and I accept that. The circumstances are that it was council day and there were no car parking spaces to be had anywhere."

But Lib Dem councillor Stephen Cooke, who represents Swinton South, said: "I was in the office of the members' secretary at the civic centre when Coun Harold came in.

"He gave the impression when he spoke to the officer that he was asking if he could get the ticket cancelled. He should have arrived earlier to ensure a parking place."

But Coun Harold said: "I went to the council officer to ask for assistance on what to do after getting a ticket. I was not asking for it to be withdrawn, and will pay it."

Coun Harold must pay £60 which will be reduced to £30 if he pays within 14 days.

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Showing comments 1 to 16 and replies | View All

reppick, salford (22/01/2008 at 08:37)

There is a huge EMPTY car park behind the shops opposite the town hall.Is he too mean to pay or is he too lazy to walk for five minutes. Disgraceful. The car park used to be free and full but the council sold it and the first thing the new owners did was to charge people to go shopping.

Bejjy ex Salford now Malta, Malta (22/01/2008 at 08:49)

And when he has paid the fine will he claim it back as "expenses" whilst attending a Council meeting? I've to stop being cynical about Salford City Council and the behaviour of its Councillors.

dessie, manchester (22/01/2008 at 08:53)

is this really headline news? i mean we have soldiers being killed around the world and we see this. the mind boggles

CBU, East Stand, 104 (22/01/2008 at 09:01)

Big deal!

TISS (22/01/2008 at 09:20)

The only mistake this councillor made was the mistake of getting caught I think people should pay more, they should be clamped and only released when the fine is paid,I took my mother who is disabled to a local asda store recently and watched three young women park on the disabled bay and run in the store and had to sit and wait while someone came out so we could park and shop, then a middle aged man came out with a big trolley full of shopping and started to load up his car,he had no obvious disabilty so I asked where his disabilty badge was he laughed and said he would apply for it when he became a "cripple" I was fuming but unable to do anything about it other than complain in store,this is the general attitude of the people who abuse this sytem, I'm glad some stores are now taking this matter seriously and dealing with it, clamp them so they can't move and fine them, that will stop them doing it again.

ace, manchester (22/01/2008 at 12:02)

TISS
This is just the lack of respect that disabled people get in britain.its time that parking in a disabled parking space was made illegal .not like the usual british idea of solving a problem .And leave it up to retailers to take private actions? its time to protect the disabled properly.

Alan Kelly (22/01/2008 at 13:47)

Dessie/CBU.

I hope you never have the misfortune to have someone you know well to suffer from a disability and then realise how badly treated people with disabilities are. Yes it is a big deal when an elected official does not have the decency to respect that he is not allowed to park in a disabled bay. The reason he does so is because he is a bit late.

My wife is disabled. The amount of abuse she suffers at the hands of "able-bodied" drivers is unacceptable. But she doesn't receive it when her 6'4", 17 stone rugby playing husband is with her.

Parking in a disabled bay is not acceptable, even for a few minutes, unless you are disabled. More people should be named and shamed and all our public figures should set an example.

ace, manchester (22/01/2008 at 15:02)

Judging by some of the comments on here no wonder disabled people are abused like the "Big deal" attitude.People who struggle to walk or the soldier who lost his legs fighting for us,surely this really is a big deal for those who find everyday life a struggle.

mike, warrington (22/01/2008 at 16:33)

Councillor Harold says their was no spaces anywhere tell him to try that big space at the back of the shops called a car park its only 50p

manchester mom, manchester (22/01/2008 at 19:27)

yes he did wrong,probably thought he wouldnt get caught,well you did didnt you!!!!!it will probably come out of his expense budget.....mm

Salford Resident, Salford (22/01/2008 at 22:41)

I would like to suggest this Councillor takes the advice of his own party- the party who wants to impose congestion charging, road tolls and extra fuel duty on us. He should use PUBLIC TRANSPORT to get to Civic Centre! There's tons of buses and Swinton station is 3mins away. I never bother driving to Swinton, knowing the parking situation. I take the bus and yes, I have to ensure I make enough time, as public transport is slower than a private car. Cllr. Harold is also a solicitor, so can't be struggled to stump up the bus fare!

mrs chopping, manchester (08/07/2009 at 18:04)

This man should no better probably thinks he is somebody, it would of helped if he apologised to the disabled people who could not park,in the press Talk about abuse of ones postion and no apology it was like listening to a tap drip drip drip of a feeble explanation from mr Harold.

mrs chopping, manchester (08/07/2009 at 18:06)

drip drip of an explanation Mr Harold.

Mrs Bridge Blackpool

Angie33 , Manchester (08/07/2009 at 18:18)

Fine them and put stickers saying 'Selfish Pratt' over the car.

That bit of fluff, under the sofa (08/07/2009 at 19:15)

Classic. The Labour Perty and its sheep are finished. Not long now before we get a Tory Government back in charge. Hope the blessed Margaret is well enough to see it.

Angie33 , Manchester (09/07/2009 at 20:09)

Put Stickers on the car saying 'I am a mindless selfish lout.I park in disabled spaces'and fine them.

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