Man fined for parking across dropped kerb outside his home

FURIOUS motorist Jim Derry has hit out at a traffic warden who gave him a fine for parking across a dropped kerb.
Jim Derry, 43, from Portchester, was issued a parking ticket after parking over a dropped kerb in his road 

Picture: Sarah Standing (160373-4341)Jim Derry, 43, from Portchester, was issued a parking ticket after parking over a dropped kerb in his road 

Picture: Sarah Standing (160373-4341)
Jim Derry, 43, from Portchester, was issued a parking ticket after parking over a dropped kerb in his road Picture: Sarah Standing (160373-4341)

The estate agent parked outside his house on the road in The Keep, Portchester, on Sunday, shortly before midday.

He claims that Fareham Borough Council’s warden was parked in his van opposite, also across a dropped kerb, and that he watched him unload before driving off, only to return to issue the £70 ticket when Mr Derry was not around.

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He said: ‘He sneaked back and put the ticket on my car, saying he watched me from 11.56am until 11.57am.

Jim Derry, 43, from Portchester, was issued a parking ticket after parking over a dropped kerb in his road 

Picture: Sarah Standing (160373-4341)Jim Derry, 43, from Portchester, was issued a parking ticket after parking over a dropped kerb in his road 

Picture: Sarah Standing (160373-4341)
Jim Derry, 43, from Portchester, was issued a parking ticket after parking over a dropped kerb in his road Picture: Sarah Standing (160373-4341)

‘If I’m in the wrong, I will pay the ticket, but it’s a private cul-de-sac, no-one goes down there so I was not obstructing anyone. For him to sneak out on a Sunday and do that is disgusting.’

Mr Derry says he is upset that the warden did not approach him and tell him he was parked illegally.

And he says the growing number of cars means that drivers are being forced to take risks when parking, which the council should look into solving and not use it as a way to make money.

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He said: ‘I have lived in The Keep in Portchester for 40 years and I have parked in the same place for pretty much the last 25 years and never received a parking ticket.

Jim Derry, 43, from Portchester, was issued a parking ticket after parking over a dropped kerb in his road 

Picture: Sarah Standing (160373-4341)Jim Derry, 43, from Portchester, was issued a parking ticket after parking over a dropped kerb in his road 

Picture: Sarah Standing (160373-4341)
Jim Derry, 43, from Portchester, was issued a parking ticket after parking over a dropped kerb in his road Picture: Sarah Standing (160373-4341)

‘Over the years more and more homes have increased the number of cars in the household and there’s an issue with double parking.’

Mr Derry had been out that morning at a charity race before he stopped off at a DIY store to buy tiles, which is why he needed to park close to his house to unload.

He also said that there are no signs, or road markings, to warn of the rules regarding the dropped kerb.

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He added: ‘I am disgusted with the way I have been treated.’

Under the The Highway Code drivers are advised that: ‘Except when forced to do so by stationary traffic, do not stop or park: where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users and powered mobility vehicles, or where it would obstruct cyclists or in front of an entrance to a property’

The Traffic Management Act 2004 grants councils the power to enforce contravention of this.

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: ‘The Highway Code is clear. You must not park where you block the entrance to a property or the kerb has been lowered to allow wheelchair access.

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‘Ultimately road use is as much about being courteous and considerate as sticking to the letter of the law. But fair play extends both ways and a friendly word from a warden pointing out the error of a driver’s way will undoubtedly play better than a £70 fine.

‘A successful parking policy will be the one with the least tickets issued, not the most.’

A spokesman from Fareham Borough Council confirmed that Mr Derry’s complaint is being investigated.

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