6:24pm Friday 16th May 2008
By Nick Lakeman
DISABLED drivers who launched a fight against parking fines issued by Bolton Council have won their appeals.
Eight motorists were given tickets after parking in disabled bays in Victoria Square which had been temporary suspended.
The council did provide alternative spots for disabled motorists in nearby Wellsprings, but caused confusion by marking them out with cones which said No Parking'.
So they parked in their usual spots - and returned to find they had been fined.
Bolton Council has agreed to cancel tickets and refund fines after a parking campaigner pointed out the mistake.
Barry Moss said town hall chiefs had backed down because they realised people would win if they appealed.
"They would have looked foolish if any had gone to adjudication," Mr Moss said: "I think they know they are in the wrong."
Mr Moss said he went to Victoria Square on April 20 after getting a call from a friend who had been given a ticket.
He said the council had temporarily suspended four disabled bays to allow a crane to carry out work on the town hall roof.
"By law alternative disabled bays have to be provided nearby so pay and display bays at Wellsprings were turned into disabled ones," Mr Moss added.
"But I couldn't believe they did it with No Parking' cones.
"I reckon a good few people got pinched because they were confused as to where they could and couldn't park."
Mr Moss urged some who were given tickets not to pay. Many refused, but some panicked and coughed up.
One victim was 78-year-old disabled badge-holder Jerry Bird from Westhoughton.
Mr Bird said he had only gone into WHSmiths for a few minutes when he was ticketed.
"I've got two false hips, asthma and I'm deaf and it was going to be £70," he said. "I am pleased they have cancelled it but I've not been into Bolton since."
A council spokesman said the tickets had been issued correctly because the disabled bays were suspended but admitted:the signage was confusing'.
She added: "In light of this we have cancelled six of the eight tickets issued and are in the process of tracing the details of the other two drivers to refund their payments.
"We are also meeting with NCP who we instructed about the signage to ensure this does not happen again.
"We would appeal to the two drivers who paid their tickets to contact us on 01204 336352 to help speed up the cancellation process."
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