Have you paid and displayed? That’s a £60 fine! Barkingside motorist gets penalty despite ticket displayed

Gopalan Sutharsan took a photo of his parking ticket after he was issued a fine. Picture: Gopalan Sutharsan (Image: Archant)

Gopalan Sutharsan returned to his car in High Street, Barkingside, on July 4, only to find a parking inspector had issued him with a £60 fine.

When the 35-year-old found the inspector and explained there was a ticket displayed, he was told to appeal the fine with the council.

Photos of Gopalan’s Volvo XC90 were taken by the warden including two which showed a small white piece of paper – Gopalan’s 30-minute ticket – in the window at the far side of the dashboard.

The 35-year-old, of Hamilton Avenue, Barkingside, appealed the fine to no avail.

He said: “When I came out of the shop and saw the ticket I found the warden and he said sorry and he told me to write to the council.

“He obviously didn’t see it properly – but it’s clear in the photos.”

In an email sent to the council, Gopalan pleaded his case saying the situation had caused him much “stress”.

“I don’t understand why [the] council [is] punishing me when I did the right thing,” it read.

An email response from Parking Management, said: “Whilst we note your comments, as you can see from the attached photographic evidence that was taken at the time of the notice being issued there was no ticket displayed in your windscreen.”

This week the council responded to the mishap and said it would cancel the fine.

“The council considers each appeal it receives on its merits and always encourages motorists to appeal if they feel they have received a parking ticket in error,” a spokesman said.

“After reviewing the facts in this case we’re pleased to say that we will be arranging for the penalty charge notice to be cancelled.”

Gopalan said: “I was so upset at the time – I wasn’t able to enjoy myself at my brother’s wedding anniversary party because of it.

“It’s wasted my time – wardens should take the time to look properly.”