I’m a former traffic cop and was fined £400 for parking on faded double yellow lines – I’m sure I’m right and here’s why
A former traffic cop who parked on a double yellow line for three months has told of his fury after being slapped with a £400 fine.
Lucas Taylor, 40, says a legal loophole means he should never have faced the penalties.
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He left his Vauxhall car on the lines in Abinger Road, Brighton, which is just around the corner from his house.
The double yellows are badly faded and Mr Taylor, who handed out tickets in the seaside town for four years, said this meant the parking restrictions were not valid.
Under UK law, drivers can appeal tickets if the markings cannot be clearly seen.
Mr Taylor also says the lines are not capped with a “terminator bar” or a T-bar.
He refused to pay and says the council has no right to demand his money.
However, officials disagree – and bailiffs have been dispatched to Mr Taylor’s home.
Mr Taylor said: “The lines are absolutely shocking.
“I’ve parked there for three months. Loads of people have done it.
“Then they started selling tickets.
“But they can’t apply them – the lines are completely altered.
“You can hardly tell them apart.
“How can you break parking laws if you don’t know they exist? »
Mr Taylor, who now works as a window cleaner, was ordered to pay Brighton and Hove City Council £424.
CRAZY PARKING
The authority sent him a “formal notice” that bailiffs will call to take some of his property.
And although Mr Taylor has already lost an appeal, he has vowed to stick to his guns.
“When I was a caretaker, I never forced cars parked on faded or broken yellow lines,” he said.
“You just can’t do that. I’ve spoken to friends who are parking attendants and they agree the fine shouldn’t have been enforced.
“If they want to fine people who park on the yellow lines, they have to make sure they are visible.”
How can you break parking laws if you don’t know the yellow lines are there?
A spokesperson for Brighton & Hove City Council said: “The yellow lines often fade or correct over time due to wear or repair work.
“Minor imperfections do not invalidate the lines.
“We are informing drivers wishing to challenge penalty notices of other possibilities to do so.
“A court, for example, is often the best way to test the validity of yellow lines.
“It’s up to individual drivers whether or not they pursue these opportunities.
“In cases where they don’t, our normal rules apply in relation to late payments.”
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