A parking fine issued to a veteran on Remembrance Day has sparked outrage in the community.
The veteran, who had a blue badge, was taking part in the annual Remembrance Day parade in Horwich on Sunday, November 13.
The car had been parked on Ramsbottom Road, and the back half of the vehicle was parked over double yellow lines.
Blue badge holders are allowed to park on double yellow lines for up to three hours, so long as there are no loading restrictions.
Witnesses say that a traffic warden was seen issuing at ticket a few minutes after the allotted three hours had elapsed.
In a video of the incident seen by The Bolton News, onlookers and parade officials suggest that, given the context of the parade and the driver's role in it, perhaps an exception could be made this once.
Town councillor and Mayor of Horwich, Cllr Steven Chadwick, was on the scene moments after the ticket had been issued. He says that a bit of common sense on days such as this should come in to play.
“Wow. I’m lost for words,” he said.
“I understand that the traffic warden is just doing his job and I don’t want him to be targeted or victimised, but I don’t understand how after the situation had been explained to him that he still issued the ticket.
“We can all understand what’s happened. The car has technically been ticketed within the regulations but there’s a moral argument can common sense to think about. Some things just aren’t right.
“Why are they going round on Remembrance Day anyway? It’s a bit over-zealous.
“I’d hope that Bolton Council sees sense and rescind the ticket.”
Ramsbottom Road was actually closed for the parade, so for much of the duration that the veteran’s car was parked there it was not in use as a public highway.
A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “The council are unable to comment on individual cases. If the person in receipt of the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) wants to appeal they would need to contact the council, as per the process listed on the PCN.”
If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at lewis.finney@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @lewisfinney18
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