Rochdale MP calls into question disabled parking tickets

Date published: 13/12/2005

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen is demanding that Rochdale Council look into their policy of issuing parking tickets to disabled people who park in loading bays.  Paul said, "I am concerned that Rochdale Council may be not acting legally by issuing tickets in this way.  I have received information that there is NO LEGISLATION that allows Parking Attendants to give tickets to disabled badge holders who have parked in loading bays, whilst correctly displaying their badges.  The only people who can move them are the police, but only if they are causing an obstruction."

This issue has arisen from the Council's controversial policy to change disabled parking bays on Yorkshire Street into loading bays.

Paul has submitted two questions to the Department of Transport;

1. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what powers parking attendants have to issue Penalty Charge Notices to Disabled Person's Badge holders who have parked in Loading Bays?
2. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice he has issued to local authorities regarding Disabled Person's Badge holders parking in Loading Bays?

Paul expects these questions to be answered on Thursday.  He said, "I have also written to Roger Ellis, the Chief Executive of Rochdale Council asking him to investigate this as a matter of urgency.  If I am proved correct it is simply unacceptable and the Council should look at refunding all the tickets that they have illegally issued."