Riders told ‘Park for free’ then fined

Traffic wardens have been telling motorcyclist they can park for free in pay-and-display spaces, then coming back later to issue a penalty.

Riders are told there is no need for them to buy a ticket, but any who take the advice risk a £50 fine and appeals can be rejected.

MCN reader Mark Woolley, 24, asked three different traffic wardens and was told by each one he could park his bike all day for free. But when he returned an hour later, he found a £50 penalty notice stuck to it for being ‘parked without clearly displaying a valid pay-and-display ticket’.

MCN parked on the same road, in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, and was also told by a passing traffic warden that motorcyclists don’t have to pay.

When Woolley, from Dewsbury, appealed, he received a letter from Kirklees Council saying: ‘All vehicles parked in a pay-and-display parking area during charging hours must display a valid pay-and-display ticket or permit.’

The letter goes on: ‘In order to park for free with your motorcycle, you must park nose to kerb, not parallel.’ But parking wardens made no mention of this.

A council spokesman said Woolley would be refunded, adding: ‘In this instance we got it wrong and we apologise.’

Have you been fined after a warden said parking was free? Email steve.farrell@motorcyclenews.com

Read more on this in MCN, on sale now