Fined for ‘aiding 999 calls’ (From Surrey Comet)

Fined for ‘aiding 999 calls’

9:48am Friday 24th March 2006

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A van driver who has had nine parking tickets in six weeks claims he has no choice but to park on the pavement near his Surbiton home because ambulances and fire engines could not otherwise get through.

Gerry England, 46, from King Charles Road, said the wheels of his Dodge truck sometimes veered on to the kerb because emergency vehicles were too large to pass by.

He said: "I parked my truck outside my home for 18 months with no problems at all, before being issued with my first parking ticket on January 30.

"I am not denying my wheel is sometimes a few inches on to the kerb. However, I want to make the point that if I am parked completely on the road and another vehicle is parked opposite, it is impossible for heavy lorries and fire engines to get through, because the road is too narrow and tapers down from the Berrylands end.

"I have been woken up several times at 3am to move the van to let emergency vehicles through."

Mr England said his truck is usually parked outside his flat from about 6.30pm to 7.45am, and he has received tickets for parking on the pavement on January 30, January 31, four more in February and three more during the first week of March.

The tickets stated Mr England was illegally parked with one or more wheels on the footway. He is currently appealing and organising a petition.

He said: "It is ridiculous that I should be fined when I am only trying to help emergency vehicles get to their destination. If they could get through with me parked legally, then I would do so, but I don't want to keep being woken at 3am to move the van."

Kingston Council aims to bring in an extra £110,000 through parking fees and charges in the next year. But a council spokesman said in this case it was simply enforcing the law.

He said: "It is illegal to park anywhere other than on the carriageway, unless that area has been designated for the purpose. Kingston Council strictly enforces actions against illegal parking in the interests of safety for all road users."

Helen Sheridan, co-owner of The Castle pub in King Charles Road, said she had some sympathy for Mr England. She said: "I think King Charles Road is quite dangerous. It is meant to be a two-way road, but cars in opposite directions always have to give way, because it is not wide enough.

"The pavement should be narrowed to make it easier for cars and larger vehicles to pass through. Mr England is doing lorries and emergency vehicles a favour by parking so they can get through more easily."

ygordon@london.newsquest.co.uk.

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