A ROAD worker says bailiffs are threatening to seize his possessions because of unpaid fines.

Jeffrey Shepherd faces a bill of nearly £350 for being in the bus lane where he had parked on-site in Lewes Road, Brighton, last summer.

The 66-year-old, of Cowfold near Horsham, had worked for many years in the city council’s highways department before recently

being switched to a private contractor.

Excel Civil Enforcement bailiffs say they can seize his belongings if money isn’t paid.

But Mr Shepherd says he simply cannot afford to pay.

The grandfather had to change his address because of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and only found out about the fines last week.

He said: “They are always doing this to our vehicles.

“It’s disgusting, especially when you are doing a service for the council and the public.

“I had to take my car as I work on the roads, it was all coned off.

“My company tells me where I have to go on the day and I went to help out.

“I work repairing the potholes for the city council, so why should I have to pay a fine for doing highways work? I am annoyed, I just can’t afford it.”

Mr Shepherd says he recently had to move home because of his condition but did not register the change of address with the DVLA, so paperwork from his fines were sent to the wrong address.

He said his company usually challenges the fixed penalty notices from the council, as the workforce needs to access the changing sites along the length of the roadworks.

“They sent me a ticket, but it is not as though I was trying to illegally park.

“I was just doing my job.

“The amount I owe has doubled because they sent the notices to my old address.

“I have worked on the roads for 45 years, many of those for the council.

“I was helping the tarmac works by operating the stop and go signs to keep traffic moving and replacing pavement slabbing for pedestrians.

“It won’t be long until I retire, I have to go in August.”

He said he has gone to the council to challenge the tickets, and will have to prove he was working on those days in June last year.

Excel Civil Enforcement’s letter said he owes £346 and told him: “If you do not pay, or agree a payment by the date above, an enforcement agent will visit you and may seize your belongings.

“This is called ‘taking control’.

“These belongings may then be sold to pay the money you owe. These actions will increase the cost of enforcement and these costs will be added to the amount already owed.”

Brighton and Hove City Council was contacted for comment about Mr Shepherd’s situation.

The authority had not responded as The Argus went to print.