Burnley traffic wardens targeting disabled?

Claims are wardens are preying on unsuspecting drivers with blue disabled badges parking in a loading bay in Manchester Road.

Critics have branded their actions “sneaky” but county hall bosses say they are just enforcing existing parking arrangements.

The two-space loading bay is right next to a designated disabled parking area outside Lloyds TSB bank and critics believe dozens of motorists may have unknowingly fallen foul of parking laws.

Drivers say the warning sign is too small and have called for proper road markings to be painted in the spot to make people aware.

Nazir Hussain, of Manchester Road, was stung with a ticket after nipping into the bank on October 14th.

He said: “They are robbing people – but even worse they are robbing the disabled.

“I have seen it three times in three days where the same thing is happening. It is sneaky.”

Tom McFarlane (63), of Rosegrove, who was given a ticket in the same spot several weeks ago, said: “I think it is disgusting. I had only parked there for five minutes and had my blue badge displayed but got a ticket.

“I spoke to the traffic wardens and asked why don’t they get proper markers put down so people are aware and they said they would ‘look into it.’

“I think it is just a money-making machine for the council.”

Blue Badge holder Annie Butcher, of Station Road, Padiham, was hit with a parking fine.

She said: “I have always parked there before with no problem so I was shocked to get a ticket. There are clear disabled signs there.

“But I think that loading bay might be a new thing. They should really specify clearly the places you can and cannot park.

“I think lots of people have been caught out there. It is very cunning.”

Ann Bent, of Burnley, says she intends to contest her ticker issued on October 14th.

She said: “The wardens say they have got to ticket anybody who parks there. The girl from the shop across the road says they are doing it all day in relays.

“It is fair enough I was parked illegally but just to decide as and when to issue tickets is a bit unfair. There should be warnings.”

Alan Capstick, highways manager for Burnley, said: “The parking arrangement in Manchester Road has not changed in that for some time there has been a disabled parking bay next to a loading bay with the appropriate standard signs to mark them.

“Our parking services team stopped enforcing illegal parking in the loading bay for a period as the line separating it from the disabled bay had become worn.

“This line was replaced in August with studded markings and it began to be enforced again, but to be fair to those who regularly park there, warnings were issued to those parked in contravention of the markings for the first week rather than a penalty.

“We’d encourage anyone who thinks they’ve received a penalty in error to use the parking appeals system.”