A BUNGLING parking warden dished out tickets to a string of vehicles in a pub car park - even though it was free to use.
Pub and restaurant-goers in Didsbury, Manchester, were stunned to discover the £60 fines had been issued when they returned to their cars after a night out.
A six-foot sign in the car park, next to the Pitcher & Piano bar on School Lane, clearly states that charges only apply before 6pm. But nine tickets were issued - all at or around 9.15pm on October 9.
Rory Alkin, who parked in the shadow of the sign before going for a meal with his wife, said: "I couldn't believe it. The sign clearly states that charges don't apply at that time.
"I don't understand how anyone could make that mistake."
The car park is owned by the Pitcher & Piano's parent company, but policed by a private firm, UK Parking Patrol.
A spokesman for the company blamed an over-eager rookie for the error - and said all the fines had been quashed.
"Nine tickets were issued in error by a new member of staff who wasn't fully aware of the time restriction on this car park," said the spokesman.
"We were made aware of this situation the next day and immediately cancelled the parking charge tickets involved.
"We have already issued an apology for the manager of the Pitcher & Piano to pass on to anyone who was on the premises that night and complained.
"We will also be issuing a written apology to anyone who writes an appeal or complaint."
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Rookie warden in ticketing bungle
October 20, 2008
Showing comments 1 to 10 and replies | View All
PW, Manchester (20/10/2008 at 07:37)
Tezza, Tyldesley (20/10/2008 at 09:54)
What’s the problem all the tickets were cancelled straight away?
I assume that your perfect and have never made a mistake.
Longshots Wife (20/10/2008 at 11:29)
sallyg, Lancs (20/10/2008 at 12:01)
You have been told over and over and over again about the situation regarding private parking invoices, and yet you continue to mislead your readers.
These people have NOT been fined. Why don't you do some research, so you don't keep on making the same mistake?
You might find yourselves in trouble with the PCC, as did another paper, if you carry on telling these untruths.
JayTilzey, m29 (20/10/2008 at 12:08)
PW, Manchester (20/10/2008 at 12:17)
Pippa, Manchester (20/10/2008 at 12:52)
Barney Gumball (20/10/2008 at 16:04)
Tezza, Tyldesley (21/10/2008 at 07:58)
I didn’t miss the point but I don’t have problems with either traffic wardens or car park attendants, as I never park illegally.
I always park in car parks and pay the correct amount and always make sure I get back before my time is up, I don’t ever park in disabled bays.
I don’t park on the street (you know the ones, just nipped in for a few minutes), I don’t want a ticket so I always make sure I obey the parking laws.
My god I sound like a right do gooder,
But I simply can’t afford to get stung for £60
And it makes my blood boil when I see stories about people who moan because they have not obeyed the parking laws and then get a ticket (not in this case I might add).
PW, Manchester (21/10/2008 at 08:31)
I was parking up for a job interview on a deserted street in Bolton. I duly went to the machine to buy my ticket, punching in reg number etc. I made a mistake as the ticket got blown over on the dashboard by the strong wind. My mind was on the interview, unfortunately. Yes, I made a mistake. I got a ticket - JUST TWO MINUTES after leaving the car. The creep was obviously hiding and watching, and perhaps didn't believe his/her luck when they saw the ticket was upside down. It's those kind of snoopy tactics that upset people. After a lot of correspondence, including submission of my ticket it was eventually waived.
As I say, if you make an error you will be punished. It would only be fair if errant wardens were similarly punished. It would give the rules more credence.