Minicab driver gets parking ticket for helping blind disabled OAP out of car Driver furious at council: “I had no choice. Without my help, she would have fallen over.” A minicab driver has slated ‘heartless’ council bosses after he received a parking ticket while helping a blind and disabled pensioner out of the minicab.
Raja Ullah was guiding 81-year-old Pat Walsh to the doorway of a shop in Harborne, Birmingham, when traffic wardens struck.
He admits being on double lines, but insists the good deed was over in less than two minutes.
“I had no choice,” the 49-year-old insisted. “Without my help, she would have fallen over.”
Raja, a driver for Edgbaston’s Falcon Cars, is appealing the penalty – despite warnings the £35 fine will rise to £70 if he hasn’t coughed-up by April 23.
“I have to fight this,” he said, “if I don’t it could happen to someone else helping a disabled person.”
Wardens struck as Raja helped Miss Walsh – a regular customer – into a convenience store on St Johns Road.
“I tried to explain,” he insisted, “but they didn’t want to know.
“Of course I think it is heartless – I was helping someone.
“I’ve only had one other ticket and that was my fault. I paid. But this is unfair. I don’t believe in taking the law into my own hands, but I’m fighting this one.”
He is being supported in that fight by Miss Walsh, who is registered blind and suffers knee problems and giddiness.
She has used Raja as a driver for two years – and has always been given a helping hand.
She said: “I think it’s unfair for them to prosecute people who are trying to do their best for elderly people. They should clamp down on the young lads and girls drinking and causing trouble.”
A Birmingham City Council spokesman stood by the warden’s actions – and pointed out Mr Ullah was parked during a loading ban, a no-go area – even for disability badge holders.
He said: “The Penalty Charge Notice was correctly issued, as there was a loading ban in force at the location when the vehicle was parked.
“Disabled badge holders are not permitted to park for any amount of time while a loading ban is in force. For safety reasons, a Penalty Charge Notice will normally be issued instantly to any vehicle seen to be parked during a loading ban.
“If Mr Ullah wishes to challenge the matter he may, of course, do so by following the instructions on the reverse of the Penalty Charge Notice. He may also visit
www.birmingham.gov.uk/PCN for more information or to submit a challenge online.”
source:
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/lo ... et-2593128
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