Driver's frustration over parking fine on Boxing Day visit

Reuben Peckham, 48, from Winchester, made the hour journey to Wokingham to meet with friends on the post Christmas bank holiday.

But his experience in the town was soured when he was hit with a fine for parking an hour and 30 minutes outside the shops in Peach Street.

Drivers are only allowed to park in the bays for 30 minutes from 8am to 6pm from Monday to Saturday.

But Mr Peckham was under the incorrect impression the rules do not apply on bank holidays, which led to him being fined.

Mr Peckham said: “I just feel a bit hard done by, I thought it was out of order.

“I’ve sent a letter to the council, but haven’t received a response yet.

“I just thought bloody hell, there are two traffic wardens out going crazy.

“There was no one around. Parking restrictions are there for a reason, but there was just no one about.

“I was in Wokingham to meet friends to have a coffee and cake and that’s what I came back to.

“It just feels agressive, those traffic wardens must have been on double time on Boxing Day. It seems an aggressive stance to take.

“I understand the reasons for restrictions, they apply to peak periods and busy times, which I don’t think Boxing Day is.

“I feel its very aggressive to have two wardens working at 10.30-11am on a bank holiday.”

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He attempted to appeal the fine on Boxing Day itself but received a dismissal letter three days later.

In a letter to Wokingham Borough Council, Mr Peckham wrote: “I put it to you that your council is exceptionally more efficient at aggressively penalising

visitors to your town in order to generate revenue than in providing essential public services which is obviously your core duty.

“This is exceptionally poor form. Whilst you have acted within the law the spirit with which you have carried this traffic enforcement is entirely unacceptable.

“I will ensure that I meet my friends at more welcoming locations in the future.”

Reuben Peckham with the fine after parking in Wokingham. Credit: Reuben Peckham

Councillor Paul Fishwick (Liberal Democrats, Winnersh), executive member for active travel, transport and highways, said: “We’re sorry for any frustration this has caused, as we understand it can be stressful, and we hope Mr Peckham was still able to enjoy a restful Christmas break.

“However, we would politely remind residents and visitors to our borough that the rules still apply for parking on the public highway where there are restrictions, and that we’re still working even over the festive season. Our off-street car parks were available only a short distance away and, as it was a Bank Holiday, these were free of charge.

“We don’t want to spoil anyone’s Christmas but these restrictions exist – in this case, a 30-minute limited waiting bay – to ensure a regular turnover of vehicles and to prevent spaces from being abused by people parking in them all day.

“This would be unfair to others who might want them and potentially detrimental to businesses that trade on Boxing Day and other public holidays.

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“Our enforcement officers work to a regular shift pattern and don’t receive a ‘premium’, as Mr Peckham suggests, nor any other kind of incentive for working on specific dates.

“As we told him in a recent letter, we haven’t cancelled the Penalty Charge Notice following an informal challenge because the vehicle was parked for longer than permitted, so we believe it was correctly issued.

“Public holidays should be treated the same as any other day of the week, and signage at the site will always make clear the days and times when the restrictions apply, and whether there are any exceptions.

“We’ve made clear to Mr Peckham that he can formally challenge the PCN if he likes, and explained how to do this in our letter. If he chooses to do so, we will consider this challenge on its merits.”