I was slapped with £70 ticket for parking in spot outside my home I’ve used for 30 years – I couldn’t believe it
A PENSIONER has been slapped with an astonishing £70 fine for parking outside his own home.
Mick Carter, 70, said that he has used the same space for thirty years and that there were "no yellow lines" or "parking restrictions" on the street when he left his vehicle on this occasion.
Having bought his property on Plains Avenue, Maidstone, 35 years ago, Mick was stunned to receive a letter through the post advising him of the £70 penalty.
Mick claims that ever since a series of speed ramps were added to his road he has been able to park on the one directly outside his home with no issues.
However, this all changed when he received a notice expecting him to pay the fine.
Mick told Kent Online: "I couldn’t believe it. There are no yellow lines on the road, no parking restrictions, no notices to say you can’t park there.
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"The ramp doesn't have those dimpled paving slabs to tell blind people it's a crossing place.
"Why have I got a ticket? Everybody parks on the ramps when necessary. Parking can be difficult here.
"I went down the road and knocked on the houses at either end of the other speed ramps to see if anyone else has had a ticket, but no one has, just me."
According to the letter, concern was raised after Mick's car was left on the ramp which is a "special enforcement area on part of a carriageway raised to meet the level of a footway, cycle track or verge."
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The 70-year-old did not receive a notice on the windscreen of his Ford Kuga but admitted that his home does have space for two parked cars.
The retired locksmith said that both spaces were taken up with the family's caravan and second vehicle.
After appealing the penalty, Mick has now been informed that the Civil Enforcement Team "agree that the penalty was incorrectly issued" and they are "sorry" for any "mistake and any inconvenience caused."
Talking about the lengthy process, Mick described it as "pretty stressful".
He also said he has still been left with questions about why the ticket was issued in the first place.
A spokesperson said: "The initial penalty charge notice was issued correctly.
“When the driver appealed against it, the appeals officer made the decision to waive the notice with a warning.
“However, an error by the appeals officer meant the incorrect notice letter was issued, which has led to confusion around the case. MBC apologies for any confusion caused.”