THE county council is to look at providing 'additional clarity' around parking restriction signage after a man successfully appealed his parking fine.

Grahame Johnstone of Carlisle got a fine for parking on Warwick Street in the city back on May 19.

He explained the situation: “I was parked in Warwick Street, outside the Old Fire Station, but not in the official parking bays, but I still put my parking disc on, and set it at the correct time.

“I returned some 40 minutes later to find I had been ticketed, as did the other two vehicles parked in a similar situation, i.e., outside the houses opposite the fire station, in unmarked bays, without any notification of any restriction at all.

“I went back down the following morning, just to check my facts, and take pictures of the areas involved, and there were vehicles parked in the same place as I was the day before, but without a penalty ticket on their screens.”

Grahame questioned the warden present who said he should appeal the ticket.

Grahame added: “[I] received a reply quoting all sorts of regulations but basically informing me that my fine had been rescinded, but not to take this as an indication to park there again.”

The fine for parking illegally issued by the County Council is £50 but if paid within two weeks it is halved.

When someone is issued with a parking ticket and fine, the person has not yet been found guilty as they can appeal and, if it comes to it, have their day in court.

However, if someone willingly pays the fine, this is not the case.

'We have become aware of some public confusion'

A spokesperson from Cumbria County Council said: “In Carlisle, the city centre parking restrictions within the area referred to as the historic quarter were changed to a restricted parking zone (RPZ) in June 2014.

“This scheme was further extended in November 2019 to include, Peter Street, Clifford Street, Dixon Street, Warwick Street, Corporation Road, and Rickergate, now known as zone HC.

“With an RPZ parking scheme, signs are in place at each entry/exit point.

“All the road marking and signage on this scheme are compliant with the current regulations.

“Whilst the scheme is compliant, we have become aware of some public confusion and we are investigating measures to provide additional clarity.”

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