Ilford driver slapped with School Streets fine after vandal turns sign the wrong way
Farooque Azad received a PCN for turning onto a restricted school street because someone had maliciously turned sign the wrong way around. - Credit: Ken Mears
An Ilford bus driver says he received a ticket for mistakenly turning into a restricted school street because the sign was missing.
While driving his wife's car, Farooque Azad, 61, received a £130 fine in December for turning onto Gordon Road from Green Lane, Ilford, during the peak time when vehicle traffic is restricted because that road is part of the School Streets scheme.
Farooque Azad by the street restriction sign on Green Lane that had been turned around to face the oither way - Credit: Ken Mears
When he received the PCN the council's parking enforcement team included a Google Maps image of the wobbly sign posted in Green Lane showing that turns weren't allowed during peak times.
But Farooque says the sign wasn't actually there when he was driving because someone had turned it around to face in the opposite direction.
The council used a Google Maps image from October (a month before the PCN was issued) as evidence against Farooque, even though the sign had been missing the day the incident happened. - Credit: Google Maps
Farooque returned to the scene of the crime a week after he received the PCN and took video footage showing the sign was still missing and tried to appeal to the council but it fell on deaf ears.
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He told the Recorder: "I think it's ridiculous that they are using an old image showing a sign there to prosecute me when it wasn't there and I have clearly showed that to them.
"I wonder how many others are also being penalised for this."
Farooque said there aren't enough advance signs warning motorists of the restrictions and once people make the turn it's too late. - Credit: Ken Mears
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A spokesperson said Redbridge Council acknowledged the sign had been turned 180 degrees in the wrong direction and it was becoming increasingly common for traffic signage to be maliciously tampered with.
After the Recorder contacted the council the signs were turned round to face the right way.
The spokesperson added: "In any case, the motorist would also have been met with prominently displayed traffic signage on turning right into Gordon Road, advising that traffic restrictions are in place between specific periods. Gordon Road is one of our successful School Streets pilot sites."
The eye in the sky watches us all - CCTV cameras at the junction of Golfe Road and South Park Road - Credit: Ken Mears
Farooque said there aren't enough advance signs warning drivers they can't turn onto the restricted streets.
There are signs at the entrance to Gordon Road but Farooque said if you are turning onto the road by the time you see them it's too late to act safely.
The council fixed the sign after the Recorder contacted them but wouldn't let Farooque off the hook. - Credit: Ken Mears
The council added: "Motorists are entitled to escalate their appeal to the Independent Adjudicator if they wish to contest the penalty charge notice further.”
