Disgust over parking fine

7:00pm Wednesday 6th August 2008

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A PENSIONER says she is “disgusted” with Kidderminster after being landed with a parking fine for staying more than one hour in a disabled space.

Julia Lemiech was outraged to find the £25 fine on her windscreen when she parked in Worcester Street to take her disabled sister shopping.

She told the Shuttle/Times & News she had been parking in the same spot twice a week for the past three years and was always allowed three hours’ parking.

Her sister, Beryl Jackson, 67, had an operation to replace her aortic valve three years ago and relies heavily on Mrs Lemiech to take her shopping, as she struggles to walk long distances.

Mrs Lemiech said she was “astonished” when she saw the fine and was left scratching her head as to why she received it.

It was only when someone pointed to a “small” parking restriction sign she realised she was not allowed more than one hour.

The 60-year-old, of Offmore Farm, said: “I don’t know how long that sign has been there but I think it only went up a few days before I received the fine.

“I don’t understand how a disabled person can have only one hour to get around the shops.

“We’re both disgusted and angry as hell. We were both born here and have lived here all of our lives and I’m disgusted with Kidderminster over this.

“I can understand why people go to other towns because there is nothing here for them.”

She added that the fine, which was paid between them, had hit them hard financially.

“I was worried when I had the fine as I have never even had a speeding ticket,” said Mrs Lemiech.

“It was such a worry that I told my sister that I will be leaving my car at home. But then how would she get into town? We won’t be shopping in Kidderminster from now on.

“I try to park as near to the shops as I can for Beryl. She can’t carry anything, so every time we buy something we take it back to the car. There’s no way we can do that in one hour.

A spokesman for Wyre Forest District Council said they could not comment on individual cases.

He added: “The signs reflect traffic regulation orders by Worcestershire County Council.

“We always advise people to look at the signs. If they believe that an hour is not long enough we suggest they contact their local county councillor.”