Nigel Simmonds is upset after receiving a parking ticket in Ipswich, claiming there were no signs indicating the bay was suspended
Ipswich: Nigel Simmonds was parked in his usual spot on St George’s Street, where he has a permit. But on August 26, he found a parking ticket on his car.
Apparently, the parking bay was suspended due to some work at the Ipswich Museum. But Mr. Simmonds insists there were no signs to warn him about it.
A spokesperson from Ipswich Borough Council mentioned that they don’t usually put cones out to mark suspended bays. They said it’s up to drivers to pay attention to road signs and markings.
Mr. Simmonds argued that there were no cones or any indication that parking was off-limits. Plus, he pointed out that it was a bank holiday weekend, so no work was happening at the museum.
He said, “I didn’t see any signs. Normally, they put cones out to show that parking is suspended, but there was nothing.”
After moving his car, he noticed another vehicle parked in the same bay without a ticket. He thought it was unfair that he got fined while another driver didn’t.
He received a letter saying he had to pay a £105 fine by November, which later increased to £115. That’s a hefty price for what he believes was an unfair ticket.
Councillor Jane Riley from Ipswich Borough Council explained that they don’t typically use cones for suspended bays. Instead, they rely on signage on the parking posts to inform drivers.
She added that any vehicle parked in a suspended bay during the suspension period would get a ticket, regardless of whether work was actually taking place.
In the end, Mr. Simmonds feels frustrated and believes the system should be clearer for drivers.
