Disabled mum fined for parking on yellow line ‘5 mins before restrictions end’

A son has slammed a council after his disabled mum was slapped with a hefty fine for parking on a yellow line on Bank Holiday Monday.

James Earp claims his care worker mum was charged £65 just minutes before restrictions had finished on a street near Orpington Station, Bromley on December 27.

The 39-year-old said it was a "kick in the teeth" after she had parked on a restricted spot so she could visit her daughter without struggling to get out of the car due to her health condition.

His mum, who is in her late 60s, only parked there because of her osteoarthritis, which causes joints to become stiff and painful, reports My London.

James has also claimed that his "unbelievably caring" mum was issued the fine at 11.54 am, when the parking restriction ended at 12 pm.

Speaking about his parent, who is a blue badge holder, he said: "My mum turned up at a quarter to 12, she parked her car and it's a really steep driveway and really slippery in the wet.

"So she parked along the flat, and as you can see from the picture, there is no blockage whatsoever. And it's a Bank Holiday Monday so there's no reason to feel like you're in contravention of anything.

"There is a restriction that normally applies between 11am and 12pm and that is to stop people parking their cars there and getting on a train to Orpington and leaving their cars there all day.

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"But on the 27th and a Bank Holiday, nobody is going to work so there is no need to enforce anything."

He added: "It just shouldn't have happened and beggars belief a little bit. It's a perfectly reasonable assumption to think restrictions don't apply because it's a Bank Holiday.

"It's just a ridiculous case to be honest. I just find it very cynical. I think it's about revenue collection and nothing to do with enforcement for the good of the people."

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James, who is a music producer and songwriter, said his mother was meant to be looking after her granddaughter on the day she was fined after she had spent her Christmas feeding disabled people.

"She was so upset and she couldn't believe it. She hasn't got a lot of money so £65 is a lot of money and it really soured the mood of the day. She's elderly and these things affect you more," he added.

A spokesperson for APCOA, the firm contracted to deal with park issues in the borough said: "We enforce the parking policy set by our client, but if anyone has been issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) that they believe is unjustified, we strongly encourage them to follow the appeals process detailed on the PCN so we can review their individual circumstances."

The Daily Star has contacted Bromley Council for comment.

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