FURIOUS residents booked for parking outside their OWN homes during a massive pop festival at neighbouring Heaton Park have won a battle to have the tickets quashed.

And Bury South MP Ivan Lewis, who backed the residents, called it a victory for "people power".

Police enforced strict no parking sections on roads and streets around the park during the Radio 1 event, which attracted thousands of pop fans, to stop the area becoming choked by traffic.

But police slapped £20 fixed penalty fines on vehicles belonging to Sheepfoot Lane neighbours despite them being parked outside their homes and on a section of road which had not been coned off.

The householders claimed that officers knew which cars belonged to residents as traffic cones had not been placed next to their vehicles.

Mrs Mahmooda Aslam, one of those whose car was booked, said: "It was ridiculous as the cones were for people visiting the event. We were being penalised for living opposite Heaton Park. The police officer knew these vehicles belonged to residents as some had been there over night. Everybody was up in arms and very distressed.

"We were not given any notification about parking restrictions. Usually we get some kind of information leaflet."

"We were having a look at what was going on in the park. My daughter said there was an officer issuing tickets but I said it would just be for visitors.

"When I came out there was a fixed penalty fine on my car and the policeman had moved to my neighbour's car"

Mrs Aslam added: "The officer was very rude. He said he wasn't going to knock on people's doors and that he wouldn't withdraw the tickets.

"He just ruined everybody's Sunday afternoon. I was certainly not going to pay."

Some 10,000 pop fanatics packed into Heaton Park for the free, big-name gig.

Householders now fear a similar parking problem in the future, especially as the Manchester City-owned park is to host the bowling competition in the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

MP Mr Lewis raised the tickets matter with Chief Inspector David Bleackley of Bury Police.

About the tickets being quashed, he said: "It is a common sense decision. I am delighted that the police have used their discretionary powers on this occasion.

"I am sure it will help foster good relationships between the police and residents at future events."

Ch Insp Bleackley emphasised that officers from another division had issued the tickets.

He added: "On the day it was perfectly reasonable to issue the tickets. However, we believe on this occasion it is a better idea to withdraw them.

"I want to do as much as possible so that people living opposite Heaton Park do not get this hassle in the future."

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