Driver gets a ticket after council paints yellow lines UNDER his car
A SHOP worker was stunned when he discovered double yellow lines were painted underneath his car while it was parked – and then he was given a ticket.
Flecks of yellow paint were even sprayed on the bumper of Patrick McCrystal's car as the lines were painted under the front of it in Kedleston Street yesterday.
The 49-year-old has parked his Ford Fiesta in the street near to the Co-operative store and petrol station, where he works, for three years.
When he parked for his 2pm shift yesterday, he noticed new yellow lines had been painted across a housing block entrance.
But there was a gap between those lines and existing ones in the street so Mr McCrystal parked there, in his usual spot.
Hours later a colleague on his dinner break saw that extra lines had been painted below the front of Mr McCrystal's car.
And, when he went out, he discovered he had been given a parking ticket.
Mr McCrystal said: "There is even paint on my front bumper where they've caught it reaching under to paint the lines. There were no lines there when I parked. I can't believe they've done it."
The new lines extended from existing double yellow lines which had previously ended about two feet from Mr McCrystal's front bumper.
After the Telegraph approached Derby City Council about the incident, an official said the £70 fine had been issued in error and would be revoked.
Mr McCrystal, of Boden Street, Derby, said notices had been put up several weeks ago saying parking restrictions would be introduced but they did not say when.
"If they were going to paint yellow lines then they should have put up cones to stop people parking," he added.
"When I pulled up I saw the gap between the old lines and the new ones and thought it was okay to park there. Nothing gave me the impression I couldn't."
A passer-by said council staff had been angered they could not paint the lines because of the parked car.
David Gartside, head of traffic and transport at the authority, said: "We can confirm that lining was painted on Kedleston Street this afternoon after the vehicle had parked and that a parking ticket was issued to the vehicle in error.
"It appears that there was a communication breakdown between our contractors undertaking the lining work and our enforcement officers. The ticket will be revoked and we apologise for any inconvenience caused."
22 Comments
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by jedwards111
Wednesday, January 18 2012, 9:20PM
“I guess the person who issued the ticket has been sacked as i see they are taking on again on the Council website! Comuppance!”
by bookyaideasup
Friday, January 13 2012, 5:55AM
“what a grand job theyce done. looks like the bad part from the travelling community are empolyed by derby city council. and thats what the taxes go on. derby city council should be ashamed”
by Oldpiggies
Thursday, January 12 2012, 9:03PM
“from John Stewart, Hilton, Derby.
It would have been obvious to the contractors that no sensible extension to the yellow lines could be achieved because of the parked car so why did they try? The outer line is bent, part of the struggle to insert it beneath the car, and will have to be re-done. When the warden arrived, the sequence of events would have been equally obvious, leading to the conclusion that there were no circumstances to justify the issue of a penalty notice.
Despite David Gartside's brave attempt at a damage-limiting explanation, it is difficult to see anything other than one of two causes. Either a most unfortunate combination of stupid contractors and warden, or a conspiracy to have a little laugh at a motorist's expense to brighten a boring day.
This is not a case where one can blame the politicians, or even senior management. The Council has been let down by its front-line workers. One can only hope that the words of advice were sufficiently unrepeatable.”
by onnhoj2010
Thursday, January 12 2012, 4:24PM
“by HugoRune__
Ok, but he got his money back and the mistake was recognised. Why can't people just think to themselves "well, thats unfortunate but alls well that ends well" rather than writing to the newspaper
As the story says, the council only apologised and rescinded the fine AFTER it was contacted by the DT. If this chap hadn't got the newspaper involved, they would probably still be claiming he owed them the money. I bet there are still some council officers who think the ticket should stand, and that the council has just backed down for PR reasons (which is probably true).
The worst thing that happened to parking enforcement in this country was putting it into the hands of greedy councils instead of the police. At least before, there was a separation between those who paint the yellow lines and those who profit from them.”
by Santa__Claus_
Thursday, January 12 2012, 2:33PM
“by HugoRune__
"@Santa_Claus_ Ok, but he got his money back and the mistake was recognised. Why can't people just think to themselves "well, thats unfortunate but alls well that ends well"
Studies show that as many as 1 in 4 fixed penalty tickets are in fact illegally issued, yet very few people challenge them. That means that councils up and down the country are robbing innocent citizens.
In any other walk of life that would be called deception and people would be jailed for it.
WE employ these fools and pay their wages, so WE have the right to be outraged when they then steal from us.”
by dianae
Thursday, January 12 2012, 2:14PM
“ok I was wrong - people are thinking this story is really important.
... no-one involved used much common sense .. so that makes it amusing ...???”
by B_o_b1
Thursday, January 12 2012, 2:04PM
“""Typical council mentality......zero common sense!" - The decision was clearly made by someone who got angry as there was a car in their way and they had a job to do. The decision was made by someone who is entrusted with the operation of... a paintbrush (or similar).
It was not a decision made by the council. They indicated what they thought of the situation by revoking the ticket and, I would assume, speaking the the two people involved. Peter the Painter and Rita the meter maid.”
by HugoRune__
Thursday, January 12 2012, 1:32PM
“@Santa_Claus_ Ok, but he got his money back and the mistake was recognised. Why can't people just think to themselves "well, thats unfortunate but alls well that ends well" rather than writing to the newspaper demanding the sacking (and tarring/feathering) of the traffic warden who issued the ticket. Obvoiusly, all the commentators have never ever ever made a mistake in their jobs that have caused an inconvenience to their customers.
In addition, since when has parking on a double yellow line been akin to intruding on people's "private lives"? Also, they have admitted in the story that they were in the wrong, have apologised and paid back the fine... so exactly how does that equate to being "perfect" and "always right"? If you're going to be outraged, at least be outraged coherently and consistently!”
by Santa_Claus_
Thursday, January 12 2012, 1:18PM
“by HugoRune__
why oh why does everybody have to be so outraged about everything nowadays!"
Probably because everone is sick to the back teeth of petty minded beaurocrats and little Hitlers sticking their rather unintelligent noses into every aspect of our private lives.
In the case of councils they set themselves up as being "perfect" and "always right" so it's only reasonable to highlight the fact that, in truth, they are largly incompetent morons who hide behind their little peaked caps and "council rules" to hide their utter incompetence.
Maybe thats the reason ?”
by HugoRune__
Thursday, January 12 2012, 1:03PM
“@littlemoaner - OK, I take your point that it is a stupid mistake and shows a degree of lack of common sense. However, I still don't see why it constitutes 'news'. There are a million examples of this kind of thing happening daily with private business (stupid mistakes, not double yellow line painting for the 'literalists' out there!) but it isn't considered 'news'. Its just another excuse for the DET to have a pop at the Council - which it appears it only exists to do.
Yes, it is an inconvenience for the chap but why oh why does everybody have to be so outraged about everything nowadays!”