A RESIDENT has complained after he was “stung” by a parking fine while taking his 90-year-old father into town for a treat.

Phil Tonge, aged 51, drove his father Eric into Westhoughton in December for a meal out before Christmas.

He parked by the road in what he thought was a disabled bay outside of Horwich Carpets in Market Street and thought he would be OK as his father is a blue badge holder.

But when they returned to the vehicle, they found they had been ticketed and fined £70 for parking in a loading bay.

Mr Tonge, from Central Avenue, Farnworth, said he was unable to tell that it was a loading bay as the markings had faded from the surface of the road.

He said: “I had just taken my father into town for a treat. My mother passed away three years ago. It was just something to brighten his day and then we got stung with this. The markings have faded and it’s indistinguishable. There is a little sign that tells you it’s a loading bay but I couldn’t see it at the time.”

He appealed to Bolton Council but was sent a letter that informed him it was illegal for blue badge holders to park in a loading bay.

But Mr Tonge does not believe the council has taken his specific concerns into account. He said: “When they got back to me they just quoted the law that disabled badge users should not park in a loading bay. I told them I couldn’t distinguish the loading bay from a disabled bay. I just think it’s so unfair. I don’t think they have taken any of our concerns into consideration.

“They haven’t listened.

“They have looked at it without any compassion.”

A council spokesman said: “We understand that Mr Tonge is unhappy with the fine. However, there is a clearly marked sign which states it’s loading only, next to the bay. Mr Tonge can appeal the fine and challenge it via an independent parking tribunal.”