On the 11/06/2014 I was looking for a space in the car park. Unfortunately it was full. However since it has become an ANPR car park, the pay and display machines have been covered with bin bags, marked as out of order, and this means that a space as you enter the car park (chevroned off by yellow lines) to allow members of the public access to the machine is no longer needed.

This has created an extra space in the car park which I chose to take advantage of. In my mind this benefited the council as they gained the extra revenue.

Within 15 minutes of leaving the car park a Standard Charge Ticket (SCT) was placed on my vehicle for being ‘Parked in a restricted area’. Despite numerous appeals to the council to get this ticket withdrawn on the grounds of common sense they have refused.

I can understand had I been blocking a disabled bay, public footpath, access the working machines or any other obstruction but this was not the case.

Since 11/06, I have seen and taken several photos of other vehicles parked in the same bay and other areas of the car park with chevron lines without SCT on them. This has been at different times of the day. My argument now is two-fold: 1. The council should allow users of the car park to use the chevron spaces that were once needed for the ticket machines.

2. If they refuse to do point ‘1’ then the council must be consistent with enforcing their rules of the car park with all people who allegedly breach their terms of use.

This clearly is another example of the council exploiting hardworking people who are just trying to do the right thing and get to work. There does not seem to be any room for discretion when I feel that this clearly is a case that should be taken on its merits.

My further concern is that there have been others in my situation who may have been bullied with the threat of court action and an increased fine unless I pay up at the earliest opportunity. — Adam Lewis, by email