Parking fine stands for disabled woman whose badge slipped from view
PARKING bosses have refused to refund a fine handed out to a disabled woman whose blue badge slipped from view.
Penny Lowery, 54, of St Saviour's Way, Crediton, was issued with the ticket after she parked in a disabled bay at Exeter Quay.
-
Penny Lowery was left with a parking ticket after her disabled badge slipped from view MARTIN WHITHAM EE081008_MW01_01
Dr Lowery, who suffers from ME and severe asthma, had recently been discharged from hospital following an operation on her bowel. She was rushing to a nearby toilet when the incident happened at lunchtime on September 18.
"I was with a friend and I stuck my blue badge on the middle of the dashboard," she said. "We slammed the doors and left the car, assuming the badge was in place.
"When I came back I found I had been given a parking ticket and my badge was on the floor of the car.
"I thought it was fair enough to give me a ticket because the badge was not visible, but I thought it would be easy to appeal because it was a genuine mistake."
The back of the ticket told Dr Lowery she had to pay a £50 fine while the company, Armtrac Security Services, considered her case. If she did not pay in a set time, the amount would go up to £75.
"I sent my £50 off, but I thought that once they knew the circumstances and I did, in fact, have a blue badge, they would refund the money," she added.
"I didn't notice the badge fall off because I was concerned about finding a toilet."
Armtrac Security Services, in Palace Gate, Exeter, replied to Dr Lowery but said it would not issue a refund.
Dr Lowery said: "I cannot work, even though I would like to, and I survive on £150-a-week benefits. The fine is a third of my weekly income."
Dr Lowery has an appointment with a representative from the Citizens Advice Bureau to consider her next step.
"It's a civil and non arbitrary fine, so it is not enforceable by criminal law," she added.
"They rely on people just paying up without question."
A spokeswoman from Armtrac Security Services said the decision stood but she would not comment further.
4 Comments
by Paul, Camborne
Saturday, February 12 2011, 5:22PM
“Youtube video of a van BLOCKED in by Armtrac to clamp him. This took place close to Argos in Camborne. He was not amused when he realised he had been pwned by a camera.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xijJZsgoRSs”
by Bilzo, Cornwall
Monday, July 05 2010, 4:43PM
“Armtrac seem to be well known scam artists. I recently was issued a ticket WHILE IN MY CAR waiting for my wife. The unmarked van pulled up inches from my bumper, blocking me in and then refused to move when I said I would leave and issued me a £60 ticket. There is a campaign to let people know about them and their dodgy ways. Please show your support at http://www.squidoo.com/armtrac-security-services”
by E Forth, Wigan
Tuesday, November 17 2009, 7:38PM
“My Disabled Badge fell off dashboard when I shut the door & central locking operated. I had to get the car keys from my wife who had entered a shop. Couple of minutes later I find a Notice of Fine (not displaying parking badge while in a Disabled Bay.)
I'm not paying and intend to go to County Court ir required. What say you all?”
by albert, here at home
Tuesday, October 06 2009, 7:02PM
“see pepipoo.com,
ignore, if they try court they WILL lose,
It's a civil and non arbitrary FINE, so it is not enforceable by criminal law, NO ITS NOT A FINE, just unenforcable invoice, IGNORE,”