An individual who has undergone amputation expressed astonishment after receiving a parking fine immediately following the council’s painting of a disabled bay around his vehicle.
Graham Tufft, aged 66 and residing in Newport, had persistently requested the installation of a designated disabled parking bay on his street for over two years. However, moments after the bay was marked out by contractors from Newport City Council, a parking warden issued a penalty charge notice (PCN) on his car without allowing him time to display his blue badge.
Mr. Tufft mentioned that the fine, either £35 if paid within 14 days or £70 thereafter, came as a shock to him despite the swift action taken by the warden.
In an interview with WalesOnline, Mr. Tufft stated, “I didn’t even get the chance to retrieve the badge and place it in my car. My wife discovered the fine as soon as she stepped outside.”
His wife, Janice, explained, “As they were painting the space, I searched online to clarify if the badge needed to be displayed in the car since it is registered to our address. Upon finding out that it was required, I went out to place it on the dashboard immediately after the contractors finished painting.”
She added, “To our disbelief, we found a fixed penalty notice on the windshield, seemingly left by the parking warden right after the bay was painted. It felt like an unbelievable coincidence, especially considering the wet paint on the ground.”
Mr. Tufft suspected that the warden was strategically waiting to issue the fine as soon as the contractors left, indicating that traffic wardens are rarely seen in the area. He expressed, “It seems like the warden was lurking nearby, waiting for the right moment. There’s usually no sign of wardens or police around here; it’s quite peaceful.”
The couple has initiated the process of appealing the penalty charge notice and has reached out to Newport City Council to voice their grievances.
An inquiry has been made to Newport City Council for their input on the matter.
