Romford residents fined for parking on own driveways
Residents penalised for parking on driveways demand council apology
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Residents in Romford are repeatedly receiving fines for parking on their own driveways. The situation has become so dire that a terminally ill woman, who has now passed away, had to walk to a nearby car park for a lift to the hospital for cancer treatment, as reported by Aftab Mahboob.
Mahboob himself spent a year disputing a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) issued for parking outside his home last June. Accessing his property requires driving through a bus lane adjacent to a bus stop. After five attempts, he successfully appealed a fine that had escalated to £145.
“It was a year of my life,” Mahboob commented, expressing frustration at the “inhuman” treatment. He emphasized the necessity of resolving the issue to prevent repeated fines for residents parking on their own drives. Mahboob explained, “I turn into my drive 30 metres from where I started to pull in. Havering Council’s approach felt patronising; they kept sending letters about the Highway Code.”
Mahboob was legally allowed to park this way. Parking adjudicator John Lane overturned the fine, citing an exemption in the local authority’s Traffic Management Order for property access.
Havering Council attributed the initial decision to a “difference of opinion” between its officer and the adjudicator. A spokesperson stated, “Our officer had to make a judgement on the reasonable length of bus lane to use. The adjudicator ruled in favour of the resident, and the council respects this outcome.”
Despite this, Mahboob remains outraged by the council’s treatment, calling it “immoral.” He believes the council owes an apology. “This is really wrong. I got a fine for parking on my own drive. I’ve lived here 16 years, but the camera was newly installed,” he said.
Mahboob emphasised that the camera placement seemed like a money-making scheme, affecting law-abiding citizens. He noted that people might pay fines out of fear of repercussions and lack the time to contest them. “People don’t have that time, and the council knows that,” he said.
Mahboob’s neighbour’s sister, aged 84, received a fine from the same camera and subsequently parked in a nearby car park, forcing her sister to walk to the car for cancer treatment. “You should be able to pick up a frail old woman,” Mahboob argued, criticising the council’s lack of compassion.
Another neighbour, an NHS dentist, also received a fine for driving in the bus lane. Mahboob pointed out that while some drivers speed on the road, the council focuses on fining residents for parking on their own driveways. “I’ve heard nothing back from the council. Not even an apology,” he stated, describing the situation as “disgusting” and “immoral.”
A council spokesperson responded, “The Council always aims to enforce parking and traffic rules fairly to ensure road safety and traffic flow. Enforcement acts as a deterrent to dangerous or illegal actions.”
What Other Media Are Saying
- r/bayarea discusses a SF couple fined $1,500 for parking in their driveway, despite doing so for nearly 40 years, with neighbors likely reporting them.(read more)
- About Time provides an overview of a Canberra resident who received a $132 fine for parking partially on the footpath in front of his home, encroaching on public property and obstructing the footpath. The debate on this fine highlights differing perspectives on balancing individual convenience with public safety and accessibility in urban areas.(read more)
- Phoenix City Code outlines regulations for parking in driveways and on private properties, emphasizing the requirement for express or implied consent from the owner and the role of private towing carriers.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why are Romford residents getting fined for parking on their own driveways?
They must drive along a bus lane to access their properties, leading to fines.
What happened to the terminally ill woman mentioned in the article?
She had to walk to a nearby car park for hospital lifts due to parking fines.
How long did it take Mr. Mahboob to successfully appeal his parking fine?
It took Mr. Mahboob a year and five attempts to overturn the fine.
What reason did the council give for issuing these fines?
The council cited a ‘difference of opinion’ on the length of bus lane usage.
What is Mr. Mahboob’s view on the council’s actions?
He believes the council’s actions are immoral and a money-making scheme.