Chard pensioner protests over parking ticket (From This is The West Country)

Chard pensioner protests over parking ticket

6:00am Monday 10th September 2012 in News By Jamie Brooks

DAVID Kernick and Marie Parfimowicz are unhappy about parking fines they received as they say a restriction sign in Fore Street, Chard, cannot be clearly seen when people gather round a nearby bench and taxi rank. PHOTO: Steve Richardson.

A RETIRED construction worker is challenging a parking fine he received in Chard because he says the restriction sign is obscured.

David Kernick, 71, of Brutton Way, is one of three people appealing against a ticket, together with Marie Parfimowicz and a businessman who each picked up a parking ticket on Fore Street at about 12.45pm on Sunday, August 26.

All three say they did not see the sign on a wall just 1ft above the pavement near the Co-op, Wetherspoon’s pub and a taxi rank, showing a restriction from 8am to 6pm seven days a week.

When Mr Kernick, who has one leg and uses a wheelchair, got out of the passenger’s seat of his son’s car he missed the restriction as it was blocked by people gathering near the bench.

He is not sure if his disabled badge was on display at the time.

Mr Kernick said: “I’m appealing on three grounds – my disability, that the sign is obstructed regularly by people waiting for taxis, outside shops and coming out of Wetherspoon’s and that the single yellow line is broken in two places. The line was not really visible in places and it should be solid and clear.”

Mr Kernick appealed the ticket on Monday but could end up with a £70 fine. The pensioner feels the sign is not clear for locals, let alone visitors to the town.

Mr Kernick added: “I’m objecting on principle to its lack of visibility – if they deny the challenge I’m willing to take it to court.”

A spokesman for Somerset County Council said: “NSL, which manages our on-street parking service, will handle Mr Kernick’s appeal through the statutory process when it has been received.”