Southend woman pleading with council to cancel parking fine

Andrea Marks, 55, was handed a £75 after she parked in a no loading bay outside Marks and Spencer on Southend High Street at the start of this month. 

Although she admits she was in the wrong, she is urging Southend Council to “show compassion” and rescind the fine because her mum, Pamela, struggles to walk long distances. 

(Image: Andrea Marks)

Pamela also suffers heart failure, arthritic feet, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, swollen ankles and severe glaucoma and Andrea took her on a “rare day out” to the High Street. 

Andrea said: “I was hoping the council would understand our plight, but they said no. I couldn’t get my mother’s wheelchair in my car and had to park closer.

“It really upset my mum. She said she didn’t want to go out in Southend again, she barely leaves the house. I just think it’s wrong of them to do that.

“I wrote a letter to them hoping they would understand, but they didn’t. I guess I’m going to have to pay it because I don’t want to go to court over this, but I want it refunded.

(Image: Andrea Marks)

“If it was me on my own, I would have parked in the car park. My mother can barely walk. I think it’s uncaring, unjust and inconsiderate of the council.”

Andrea said she had displayed her mother’s blue badge on her windscreen and thought she could park on the double yellow lines for three hours.

(Image: Andrea Marks)

She added the fine would have been reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days however she has now missed this window. 

A council spokesperson said: “Any vehicle clearly displaying a blue badge can park in disabled bays for the period indicated on signs, any roadside pay and display bays, and any council-owned pay and display car park, all free of charge.

“Blue badge holders can also park for up to three hours on single or double yellow lines, where there is no loading or unloading restriction in place.”