Forum Topic

WARNING - DON'T ASK A TRAFFIC WARDEN !!!

One would assume that a Civil Enforcement Officer(Traffic Warden) would be aware of parking regulations and restrictions after all they are employed by Ealing Council to uphold the law. Thinking this was the case my husband asked the Traffic Warden's advice because he was aware that a yellow sign some way along the road stated that suspension was in force between Bay 1 and Bay 7.  The Traffic Warden asked ‘Where are you parked?’ and when my husband pointed to the bay where his car was parked the warden responded with the words ‘OK You are all right there’ so feeling assured my husband left the vehicle a few minutes before 2pm. So you can imagine how annoyed and confused we were to find a parking ticket on the windscreen timed at 2pn exactly!There is absolutely no way we would have parked in that location if there was any doubt about whether or not it was breaking the law.We looked around to try and locate the Traffic Warden in question but of course we could not see any warden around.  Counting the bays we thought we were in Bay 8.  According to the council the first bay is not counted as it is loading/unloading only. Perhaps the Traffic Warden made the same mistake - who knows. If he was unsure why not say it is up to the driver to double check? Why would the warden tell my husband that it was fine to park in that bay if that is not the case?  It is very unfair that my husband then received a parking fine within minutes even though he checked with the traffic warden before parking in that bay.  Perhaps it would be better if Ealing Council actually marked out which bays are affected to prevent people getting unfair parking fines, and by the way the suspension sign  was quite a few yards along on a lamp post. It should be located at the start and finish of the restricted area.On a later visit we spoke to 2 wardens who just said we sould have got the badge number of the person who said it was fine to park where we did. It seens you cannot even trust a Civil Enforcement Officer who is employed by Ealing Council to give the correct advice!We appealed of course but the Parking Services are sticking to their guns. Easy money for the council I guess, once again the motorist is fair game.In the past when each bay had a parking meter it was easy to check whether or not it was OK to park in that bay, now there is no beginning or no end and left up to the motorist to try and figure it all out. So my advice folks is NEVER take advice from a Traffic Warden, in fact don't even park in a road which has a sign saying some bays are suspended. Unless of course you want to pay a £55.00 fine!

Jean F Fernandez ● 3871d8 Comments

They appear to be lying to unsuspecting drivers in order to get Brownie points when  they issue lots of parking tickets!Would you believe that two other wardens told us that we should have taken his badge number or name, so they obviously don't trust one another either!It is high time every bay was marked or the council make it clear exactly which bays are suspended because the traffic wardens don't seem to know as we were told it was OK to park and then got a parking fine.The motorist is the cash cow for the council!

Jean F Fernandez ● 3869d

Who would be a traffic warden that's what puzzles me - are they doing community service?

Roy Baker ● 3869d

Unfortunately we have had the appeal heard twice but they refuse to budge. It is a total disgrace that the advice given by the Traffic Warden ended up with us getting a parking fine just minutes afterwards.This sounds like a nice little earner for the council and bonus points for the warden.

Jean F Fernandez ● 3871d

Don't pay, appeal. It does not double if you lose, only if you do not pay in time after the decisionI do not think this is precisely true.From memory, the Council allow you a time period to pay, during which the fine is £55.  Once this time has passed, the fine is doubled.  They also allow you a short period of time to contest the fine with them directly and they're compelled to give it due consideration.  I THINK they will extend the 50%-off time period whilst they consider this.However, if they do not accept your reasons and you appeal to PATAS, by the time the appeal has taken place, the 50%-off time period will have ended.  PATAS have no power to reduce the fine, so if you lose, you'll have to pay the doubled amount.In this case, I'd personally appeal - I can see no point in paying first, then complaining - the Council will ignore this completely.Good luck!

Phil Kay ● 3871d

Unless that first bay is specifically marked. It is bay 1If they are using numbers to identify the bay, then the bay must be marked as such.Another borough has had to number all non block bays as no indication of which end No. was. They had used no 1 at either end of the bays and that is how they got caught out when two 'offenders' noticed they had parked in bay 1 at both ends of the street.Go and photograph the first bay and see if it is marked, then see if any bays are numbered either on the road or on signs.Don't pay, appeal. It does not double if you lose, only if you do not pay in time after the decision.Write to the ombudsman.They know full well you will pay up, most people do even though they are wrongly penalised.This is why we are walked all over by this and other local authorites.

Mark Kehoe ● 3871d

> a yellow sign some way along the road stated that suspension was in force between Bay 1 and Bay 7> Counting the bays we thought we were in Bay 8.  According to the council the first bay is not counted as it is loading/unloading only.Forget about identifying the Traffic Warden.  If the Bays weren't numbered, you were perfectly entitled to assume that the 8th bay was Number 8.Don't pay, and make it clear to the council that you will take it to appeal.  Basically it's a game of brinkmanship they are playing, and hoping that your nerve will crack.  Don't let the bullies win.

Dave Robertson ● 3871d

Thanks Mark, we are pensioners and could do without this hassle. Actually it is also about the principle of the whole thing, m husband trusted the warden, never thought for a minute of taking his name or number! How wrong he was.Anyway we would never ever trust another warden no matter what they say. We do not want the fine to double and will pay it but under duress, but we will be taking further advice because what happened was just wrong!

Jean F Fernandez ● 3871d

Always, always, get their number, if they are giving you info in good faith then they will have no issue in either giving you their name and number and even writing it down for you. Most are quite amicable. A wardens number has to be clearly displayed. If it is not then they are not legally attired to issue a penalty notice. Take pictures with a phone camera or camera if you can, make a note of the date and time.And don't be fobbed off by the first response. When challenging. They know that only a small percentage persist in pursuing matters.Then there's the ombudsman. As long as your facts and details are correct, you will usually win.

Mark Kehoe ● 3871d