Parking case is 'up the pole'(Xnunscar)

Campaigners for better Leigh town parking facilities were at the town's magistrates court where orange badge-holding nun Sister Josefa escaped a parking fine.

She picked-up a parking ticket for leaving her car in an off limits area in Vernon Street while out shopping.

Instead of coughing-up a £20 fine she elected to appear before magistrates to highlight what she claims is unfair parking discrimination against the disabled.

But she and East Lancs Disabled Drivers Association branch leaders Iain Winstanley and Geoff West (pictured) didn't get the chance to argue their points.

The case was chucked-out because a tiny sign wasn't on the appropriate pole.

Outside court Sister Jo, who is disabled through chronic illness, said:"No offence was committed because the restriction sign hadn't been installed although lines had been painted.

"I could have simply paid-up and not bothered arguing the point. Would I have been told the ticket should not have been issued if I had paid?

"The sign has since been put on the post so parking there is now illegal. I wonder how they are going to deliver supplies to The Globe without breaking the law?

"Able bodied people have no conception of the difficulties experienced by disabled people in walking even a short distance.

"Disabled drivers are expected to use Shopmobility, but powered wheelchairs must be booked at least the day before."

DDBA East Lancs branch chairman Iain Winstanley said:"You never know from one day to the next whether you will feel well enough to go shopping. The local authority has a duty to cater for the disabled."

And branch secretary Geoff West:"We are here to help disabled drivers interpret the regulations correctly and to safeguard their interests. There are so many grey areas."

He can be contacted at 14 Hempshaw Avenue, Loveclough, Rossendale, BB4 8RW (01706 227723).

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.