Traffic warden issues parking fine for 'car parked on driveway'

A couple were shocked when they found their car had been issued a parking ticket that they claimed was on their own driveway at the time.

Niall and Amanda McCarthy from Bishop's Stortford said they have been using their small driveway outside their house for 14 years without any problems.

The white Volkswagen Golf was issued with a ticket just before 11am on Tuesday and only spotted by the couple when they returned from work.

The £35 ticket, which increases to £70 after 28 days, cited the a contravention that the vehicle was "parked in a restricted street during prescribed hours".

Mr McCarthy, 49, said: "It is just laughable really. The car was as tight to the house as we can get it.

"The fact that they had to physically walk onto my drive to put the ticket on just shows how ridiculous it is."

The family use a small piece of wood in front of the house that allows them to drive within a centimetre of their wall without hitting the building.

Mr McCarthy added: "People have said how we are blocking the pavement but that is not what the ticket is for - it has said we have parked in a restricted street.

"We park there all week and at the weekends so I'm not sure if it is just a new warden who has a problem with it.

"I can understand why there are double yellows down there as it is tight, but we aren't obstructing anyone."

An East Herts Council spokesperson said: "We will be happy to consider any information the motorist wishes to provide and will take it into account if the motorist takes up the right to challenge the penalty charge notice."