Disabled pensioner in parking fine furore
A disabled pensioner who was asked to produce his blue badge at a parking office in the Black Country was slapped with a ticket while he was inside having it checked by staff.
A traffic warden penalised 71-year-old Alfred Turley for not having his badge on display for the few minutes he was inside the parking control office in West Bromwich.
Staff asked the great-grandfather to fetch his badge from the car for verification. And after he was given the ticket, they told him they were unable to void it. Mr Turley, who lost his wife June 23 years ago, paid the £35 penalty.
The retired steel worker, of Kinnersley Crescent, Oldbury, walks with crutches due to severe problems with his knees.
The father of four and grandfather-of-nine said today: "I couldn't believe it.
"They asked me to fetch my badge and when I returned I had a ticket. I didn't make a fuss to the warden because I just thought they'd cancel it on the spot when I went back inside to tell them what had happened.
"But they said there was nothing they could do and I had to pay it."
Mr Turley parked in a disabled bay outside the office in Victoria Street on Friday. He was at the office having a previous ticket voided.
His son Lee, a 34-year-old computer programmer from Cannock, said: "I think it's appalling, where is the common sense in this?"
Sandwell Council today said it would void the ticket if Mr Turley appealed.
Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and housing Councillor Mahboob Hussain said: "If drivers are not displaying the necessary ticket or blue badge they are likely to get a penalty.
"On this occasion the gentleman could have parked in a bay where he did not need to display his badge whilst taking his badge to the parking office. I will ask officers to void this ticket if an appeal is made."
