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An IT manager has been slapped with a £70 fine by a council spy camera – after ‘letting pedestrians cross a road’. Ash Hulme says he was pulling onto the Royal Mail car park, on Leek Road, when he stopped to let pedestrians pass.
But the 36-year-old has been left stunned after Stoke-on-Trent City Council slapped him with the parking penalty four months later. The authority says Ash had broken its rules by stopping on a red route.
Ash, from Bucknall, said: “We were pulling up to the car park when we stopped to let pedestrians cross the car park entrance. We were indicating left. The photo also shows the wheels were ready to make a left turn.
“The council has told us there is no stopping whatsoever on double-red lines. I responded to them to say we were not parked, we were just entering. We paused to let people cross. I asked them ‘What should we have done?’ It’s ludicrous that they have double-red lines on the entrance to a facility. If you’re going to be responsible you’re not going to turn if pedestrians are in the way.”
The incident was captured on April 21. The fine was received by Ash on August 18.
Ash added: “It’s even more shocking that we received the penalty charge notice nearly four months after the fact. It took us a while to actually think of the incident because of the date. You’re going back a while here.
“I looked at the date of the incident and I had history from Royal Mail to say we were going to collect a parcel from its depot. Surely if you’re making a turn into an entrance, you’re allowed to stop. It’s for the safety of pedestrians.
“I am very shocked. It is like they are trying to make money out of others. We did everything safely and properly. They’re telling me you can’t stop to make a maneuver because of the double-red lines.
“If I had stopped on the road and jumped out of the car I would have got it. I just do not feel like I have done anything illegal by waiting for the pedestrians to cross. It was about 30 seconds maximum.”
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has declined to comment on the case. But in a letter to Ash the council has rejected his version of events – and halved the fine.
The council response states: “Your vehicle was observed stopped on a red route where vehicles are not permitted to stop at any time. Therefore, although I understand that you parked for a short time only to wait for a space to become available on the Royal Mail car park, I am satisfied that it was clear that parking was not permitted.
“Please be advised that, in order to access the Royal Mail car park, the route must be clear for you to drive straight in as waiting on either the road or pavement would place you in contravention of the restrictions.”
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