A pensioner with mobility problems has slammed the lack of car parking spaces, especially disabled bays in Bolton town centre.

Arthur Knowles received a parking ticket after unkowningly parking in a taxi rank on Knowsley Street, after searching for a disabled bay to park in near to where he needed to visit.

The 78-year-old, who lives in Westhoughton, returned to find he had been given a parking ticket.

The Bolton News:

He noticed the car park behind the former Pound£stretcher store had closed, after circling around looking for disabled parking as he struggles to walk at a distance, Mr Knowles saw a space outside the Halifax whilst he went inside.

His badge was on display but because it was a taxi rank he was issued a fine.

Now his daughter criticised parking in the town centre, especially for those who have disabled badges.

Joanne Turner, 47, who lives in Whitefield, paid the fine for her father - but has asked to know where disabled people can park when they visit the town centre.

Joanne said: “My dad who is 78 years old and a disabled badge holder recently wanted to go to the Halifax Building Society on Knowsley Street in Bolton.

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“He tried to park behind the Halifax, he would struggle to walk from there, but he would be fine to get to the bank from there.

“But the old car park is now closed or cordoned off, so he parked at the front of the Halifax Building Society with his disabled badge showing.

“My dad can’t walk far so could not park on the old Debenhams car park as it is too far.

“He was driving around Bolton in circles looking for somewhere to park and he didn’t know he couldn’t park at the front, he was on his own.

“Unfortunately, my dad received a parking ticket which I challenged.

“I said they could look at the CCTV to see my dad walking with a stick, but they would not cancel the charge because he was parked in a taxi rank.

“I paid this for him to avoid the stress, but I asked where he can park for which I received no reply.

“My dad now doesn’t want to visit Bolton again which is sad as it used to have such a great shopping centre.

“Bolton is like a ghost town.

“Things like this don’t help when disabled drivers struggle to park and don’t know where they can park.

“I’m just frustrated really and annoyed because they want people to go back into Bolton but with things like this it doesn’t help.

“I’m just really frustrated and I really thought Bolton Council would have quashed it especially with his age and him having a disabled badge.

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“I want to know where can he park? I’ve been on Google Maps and it doesn’t show anything, so my dad is worrying about where he can park if he needs to go again.”

Joanne said the situation has made her dad feel frustrated.

She said: “My dad was frustrated but he was also, not sad, but let down.

“He was on his own and he just didn’t know he couldn’t park there.”

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “It’s council policy not to make comment on individual cases.

“Drivers who wish to challenge a Penalty Charge Notice can do so via the usual appeals process.

“Blue Badge Holders who display their badge can park in pay and display bays free of charge and without time limit.

“There are pay and display bays on Knowsley Street.

“There are also disabled bays located on Victoria Square North.

“Further information about disabled parking bays in the town centre and their location, including a map, can be found on the council website: Disabled parking bays – Bolton Council”