Parking fine ‘ludicrous’

9:25am Wednesday 21st May 2008

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A fine for parking on the kerb in a narrow Edgware road has been branded "ludicrous" and "nonsensical".

Sue Kushner, 51, of Brook Avenue, received the £100 fine when her son's car was found with two wheels on the pavement at 9.35pm on Friday, May 9.

She claims that if two cars park legally on each side of the road, it is impossible for large vehicles to get through.

Mrs Kushner said: "In the past, we have had to move for the fire brigade to get their engines down here. It was physically impossible for them to pass and it could put someone's life in danger if emergency vehicles can't get through," said Mrs Kushner.

She has lived in Brook Avenue for more than 25 years and has not previously been fined for the offence.

"It is nonsensical to fine anybody for this and the whole system is ludicrous," she added. "I don't know why someone was patrolling at that time of night anyway.

"We are going to challenge this all the way.

The principle behind it is ridiculous."

She has appealed the fine, but a spokesman for Barnet Council said the authority was satisfied the ticket had been correctly issued.

Councillor Andrew Harper, cabinet member for environment and transport, added: "We recognise the difficulties some residents experience when attempting to park their vehicles. However, parking on the public footway is only allowed in certain areas where there is sufficient space for this to occur and the footway has been reinforced to take the weight of the vehicles.

"Such areas where parking on the footway is permitted are clearly marked and any other parking on the footway will be subject to enforcement action.

"If there is insufficient room to park on the road, it is advisable that residents find alternative parking rather than potentially causing an obstruction to the emergency services or those using the footway."