Driver issued with fine after failing to spot taxi rank signs in Portsmouth

Leanne Bower got a ticket when she parked in Stanhope Road in front of Liquid & Envy nightclubs after 8pm on a Friday.

The 27-year-old said: ‘The only sign I saw said: “charges apply 8am to 6pm”.

‘I left my car there and went to Sprinkles for about an hour.

‘I was quite shocked to find a parking ticket when I got back.

‘I think it’s really cheeky that the council does that when people don’t even realise that they are parked illegally.’

Ms Bower said there were two other cars parked next to her which were also issued fines, and she called on the council to improve the signs.

Leanne, from Copnor, said: ‘In Guildhall Walk there’s bright yellow paint on the floor saying that it’s a taxi rank.

‘But there’s nothing like that in Stanhope Road.

‘When I put a picture of the ticket up on Facebook people kept saying “that’s happened to me before as well, and I appealed against it”.’

Ms Bower questioned the need for a taxi rank there.

She said: ‘I go out in Portsmouth a lot and I didn’t know that was a taxi rank.

‘There never seem to be any taxis there.’

But a spokesman from Portsmouth City Council said the rules for parking in the area were clear, with three signs saying it was a taxi rank between 6pm and 8am.

Cabinet member for traffic and transportation, Councillor Ken Ellcome, said the fine was fair. He said: ‘I’ve checked the signs here. They’re clear and fully comply with national regulations.

‘Drivers need to check the signs on poles, alerting them to the restriction after 6pm.

‘Anyone who gets a parking ticket is very welcome to appeal, ultimately to an independent tribunal.

‘Drivers can find details of how to do this online – search “parking fines” at portsmouth.gov.uk.’