'Shoppers are driven out by parking fines'
TRADER Mark Manley has fallen victim to the city council's 'spy car' – after being caught parking illegally outside his own oatcake shop.
The 48-year-old pulled up on double yellow lines while making a delivery to Bees Knees, in Tunstall, when he was caught by the mobile enforcement vehicle.
He is one of 688 motorists fined for parking illegally in Tower Square in the last 18 months.
A further 58 drivers have also been captured by the car in nearby Roundwell Street and High Street.
Would you like a professional to review your CV and give you some constructive feedback?
contact BlueSky CVs for an honest review
Terms: 1 per person
Contact: 01538 710408
Valid until: Friday, May 24 2013
But Mr Manley, of Packmoor, believes his customers will continue to be targeted – because it is so easy for the council to catch drivers.
He said: "It is a total money-making scheme. Everybody parks on the yellow lines in Tower Square because there are so few parking spaces in the town centre.
"Most people are there for just a few minutes while they grab some food but that is enough time for them to get caught.
"It is completely unfair. A lot of people don't even know where they are allowed to park because there are no signs and when they see the council 'spy car' they think it is Google Earth so they are shocked when they get a letter through the post.
"I am not surprised the figure is so high, the 'spy car' is out about three times a day."
Pauline Scally, manager of the Wrights pie shop in Tower Square, said: "Loading and deliveries are a real problem for us and our delivery driver has been fined before and it is not fair. If he forgets something he can't just come back because it is supposed to be no loading between 10am and 4pm."
Mrs Scally, of Talke, added: "The parking fines put customers off coming into the town as well because they don't come back.
"The council wants to promote town centres and get more people spending but they do things like this and wonder why independent businesses are closing all the time."
Teenage driver Hayden Mellor, aged 17, of Mow Cop, who works in Ideal Buys, says the council is 'over-zealous' in issuing tickets.
He said: "There isn't any parking in Tunstall so people take the opportunity to pull up outside whenever they can. They are only there for a few minutes.
"I see the 'spy car' driving around and it is there all the time and it drives customers away. If people think they are at risk of getting a fine then they choose to park somewhere else."
Stoke-on-Trent City Council brought in the 'spy car' in 2010 to monitor parking on single and double yellow lines and to keep loading bays clear.
The Toyota IQ – which has four CCTV cameras and special recording equipment – issues fines of between £50 and £70.
Paul Edwards, who has run Forster Street Fishing Tackle, in Forster Street, Tunstall, for 33 years, added: "We never used to have any parking wardens but since the 'spy car' has been brought in people are always getting caught.
"Every time you speak to people they always moan about parking, it is the only thing people are bothered about. It is a long-running issue."
Comments
by stevenweiss
Thursday, January 03 2013, 11:30PM
“Remind me never to go to Tunstall then if that's what happens.”
by warren-lloyd
Thursday, January 03 2013, 9:00AM
“Yes, round the back of the Market on Transport Lane, get some right good ones there. On Market Street by the Halifax to, and down that side street across from it. Give the north of the city a rest and come down sort Longton out, rich pickings to be had.”
by Real_Stokie
Thursday, January 03 2013, 8:09AM
“I guess by the red arrows to my last truth hurts and too many people think they should be allowed to 'opt out' of motoring laws!”
by pensioner46
Thursday, January 03 2013, 8:04AM
“Try sending your patrol van behind the market in Longton where TAXI'S park on double yellow lines on the bend and side by side to talk to one another. Then send it around the corner into the Strand where cars park outside Lloyd's bank on double yellow lines and in the BUS LANE.”
by warren-lloyd
Thursday, January 03 2013, 4:06AM
“As for Wrights Pies delivery driver in Tunstall, he should not be so ruddy forgetful.”
by warren-lloyd
Thursday, January 03 2013, 4:01AM
“You should send it down The Strand a few times. You would get loads parked outside Wrights Pies, and there is a free car park at the back.”
by warren-lloyd
Thursday, January 03 2013, 3:53AM
“They mean don't park there its dangerous and against the law so I'm not surprised you got a fine. Pay up, don't do it again and advise your customers not to park there.”
by Real_Stokie
Wednesday, January 02 2013, 11:54PM
“Er, don't break the law, don't get fined? Is it really that hard?”
by stokeladuk
Wednesday, January 02 2013, 2:38PM
“What a silly story. Park on double yellow line and as per the highway code you are parking illegally and therefore liable to get a ticket. Last time I went to Tunstall they had built retail parks nearby with masses of parking but it seems lots of people just seem to be too idle to walk the 5 minutes up the road. In other large cities you would be liable to come back to find your car towed away so be thankful your idleness doesnt cost you more.”
by matt1982
Wednesday, January 02 2013, 2:26PM
“I think the important phrase to note in the article is that the cars being fined are parked "illegally". It doesn't matter that you're only parked there for a few minutes - it's illegal to park there so if you're caught and fined then tough. It's the same as any other crime either minor or major. You've broken the law and have been caught and as such are being punished. It's how the law in this country works.”