Drivers left stunned after cars lifted up for yellow line painting then slapped with parking tickets

Drivers parked on a Berkshire street overnight were left stunned when their cars were lifted up for yellow lines to be painted underneath - then slapped with parking tickets.

The Wokingham residents spoke of their shock and anger after their cars were hoisted up then fined. The lines were painted at Blackthorn Close by Wokingham Borough Council contractor Volker Highways.

Wokingham Borough Council has apologised to the residents affected, and said people had asked for the double yellow lines to be implemented.

Wokingham Borough Council has urged the drivers affected to appeal the penalty
This car was one of several to be moved and then have a fine issued

But Councillor Shirley Boyt, Labour councillor for Bulmershe and Whitegates has told ITV Meridian people living nearby were not given any warning for the yellow line painting.

"I think residents are incredulous. Some people were just laughing because it was so bizarre, they couldn't actually believe what had occurred. And yes we do want the double yellow lines because we have had problems with people parking for long term, we've had commercial vehicles parking in this road and it's a very small road.

"The residents themselves welcome the double yellow lines, but nobody would have wanted those people to have been given a parking ticket when they haven't done anything wrong.

"When I discovered what had happened I was absolutely furious, because I just think it's treating people appallingly."

Councillor Shirley Boyt

The council said an investigation into the blunder has been launched, and advised vehicle owners given penalties must appeal to have them cancelled.

One car is hoisted up by a crane as yellow lines are painted along the road Credit: Don Barwick

In a statement, a Council spokesperson said, “We are sorry for this situation. This incident was caused by an unfortunate coincidence that our parking enforcement contractors happened to be in the area shortly after the double yellow lines had been painted. We have different contractors for painting the lines and for parking enforcement.

“For those people who received a parking fine and have not already challenged it, please contact us by emailing parkingservices@wokingham.gov.uk and we will work with you to cancel it. We entirely accept they have been issued in error.

“We are sorry this happened and want to apologise to everyone who has been affected.

“Residents in Blackthorn Close had requested the double yellow lines and our contractors have been out previously to paint them but had been unable to because of parked cars. Cones were meant to be put out in advance to prevent cars parking on the area to be painted. We have been informed by our contractor today that on this occasion, they did not put the cones out.

“We will be taking this up with our contractor and reviewing our internal processes to ensure this does not happen again. We are very sorry that parking fines have been issued in this case.”

One of the cars issued a penalty on Blackthorn Close

Don Barwick lives in Blackthorn Close in Earley. He said, "My wife was looking out the window and noticed there was a big lorry with a sort of crane on it, and they were lifting the cars out of the way.

"They were lifting the cars then painting the yellow lines where the cars had been, and then putting the cars back down again.

"I phoned the council and said I wasn't happy about what had happened. It didn't affect me as we have a parking space, but I didn't feel it was right that cars that had been parked where they were legally allowed to had then been ticketed.

Don Barwick, Resident