Taxi Driver gets parking ticket in taxi rank

News admin | Feb 02, 2010 | Comments 0

A TAXI driver has been given a parking ticket in Lancing while helping an elderly passenger with her shopping.
Sean Ridley parked his ABCA taxi at the rank in North Road on Monday, January 25, and went to help the woman carry her bags in the Co-operative store.

When he returned, he found he had a parking ticket and a £70 fine.

On the ticket, the warden had written an observation time of 11.51am to 11.52am.

High-handed

“If a vehicle is illegally parked, fair enough, but I do not accept a high-handed attitude from a parking warden when I am going about my business,” said Mr Ridley, of Brighton Road, Lancing.

“I am required to help someone with mobility problems and, not only that, it is the right thing to do.”

Mr Ridley said there was no way the warden could have mistaken his taxi for a non-commercial vehicle, as it was clearly marked.

Common sense

“In Lancing, we have got a lot of goodwill between taxi drivers and the customers, many of whom are elderly,” said the 42-year-old, who does not intend to pay his fine.

“I don’t want drivers saying ‘I can’t help you because, if I leave my cab for one minute, then I run the risk of getting a ticket’.

“All I am asking for is common sense.

“If a taxi is parked on double yellow lines, nick it, but leave me alone when I am going about my business on the taxi rank.”

Unattended

On-street parking in Lancing is enforced by NSL.

Gary Webb, from NSL, said: “Adur’s professional taxi drivers are well aware of the rules and legislation surrounding this and their own handbook specifically states they should not leave their vehicles unattended when using a taxi rank.”

He said a ticket would be issued only if the driver left the taxi, was out of sight and there was no sign of a passenger.

He added wardens employed a “common-sense” approach and would normally check to see if the meter was running.

“This vehicle was first seen unattended by our civil enforcement officer before he parked up to check the area,” he said.

“The vehicle was then subsequently observed in person and the penalty charge issued.

“Over 15 minutes after the penalty charge was issued, the car was noted as still having not moved and was unattended.”

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