FPN for parking on a corner

[firsttimer]

I have been issued with a FPN (from a copper I think, has the West Midlands Police written on it) for parking on a corner as the FPN states the offence as "Unnecessary Obstruction" with the offence code 151 or 157 it's not legible.

I have to pay £30 within 28 days with no reduction for paying early.

The problem is I am often forced to park on the corners like everyone else and many other do on a regular basis and have done for years. The road is residential road with terraced house and some homes have 2-3 cars and there are also dozen of disabled parking in-front homes so where can one park?

I don't believe I was obstructing as cars can pass on the road without any problems.

Should I appeal or just give in an pay the fine? How much luck would I have considering it was given by a copper and I know the courts would take the police's words over mine...where's the justice!!

[Michael Browne]

The only way you can challenge a FPN is to appear in a Magistrates Court and risk an increased fine.

[firsttimer]

That is my concern but the fact is every single day these corners have cars parked because of the number of vehicles in each household and most of the time the cops turn a blind eye!

I mean parking within 10meters is an offence yet the council can mark parking bays within 1 meter of the junctions and that's fine!! Double standards!!

[Mossycat]

The fact that every single day corners have cars parked on them and that most of the time the cops turn a blind eye does not make it right or legal to park on a corner.

Whilst I sympathise with your predicament the law is clear on this issue, you broke it and you have been issued a penalty.

There are no reductions for early payments of fixed penalty notices, so the choice is yours pay it now or choose to state your case in Court (if you opt for the latter you will need to have a better defence than amount of cars, everyone else does it or plod usually doesn't bother ticketing). Should you lose it will no doubt mean a bigger fine and also they can apply for costs and the £15 compensation that is standard to all fines these days.

I know it's not what you wanted to hear but that's the way it is

Mossycat

[emsgeorge]

The usual test for obstructions like this is:

Can you get a fire engine past the vehicle, whilst still on the road ?.

Gives you some idea of how wide you should leave, and some idea of the arguement they will present in court if you decide to go that far.

[green_and_mean]

Originally Posted by firsttimer

That is my concern but the fact is every single day these corners have cars parked because of the number of vehicles in each household and most of the time the cops turn a blind eye!

I mean parking within 10meters is an offence yet the council can mark parking bays within 1 meter of the junctions and that's fine!! Double standards!!

Often they only enforce in response to a complaint when they are obliged to act.