A son has been left fuming after he says his care worker mother was hit with a parking fine on Bank Holiday Monday (December 27).

James Earp said it was a “kick in the teeth” when his elderly mum found the £65 charge on her windscreen in a street near Orpington Station, in Bromley, earlier this week.

His mum, who James did not want to name, had parked on a yellow line in a restricted parking spot when visiting her daughter.

James said she parked there because of her osteoarthritis, which causes joints to become stiff and painful. He added that she has a blue badge and is in her late 60s.

The 39-year-old believes if his mum had parked in her daughter’s steep and slippery driveway it could have posed a risk to her.

He also claims she was issued the fine at 11.54am, when the parking restriction ended at 12pm.

James said: “My mum turned up at a quarter to 12, she parked her car and it’s a really steep driveway and really slippery in the wet. And she’s got osteoarthritis so she finds it hard to get out of the car.

“So she parked along the flat, and as you can see from the picture, there is no blockage whatsoever. And it’s a Bank Holiday Monday so there’s no reason to feel like you’re in contravention of anything.

“There is a restriction that normally applies between 11am and 12pm and that is to stop people parking their cars there and getting on a train to Orpington and leaving their cars there all day.

“But on the 27th and a Bank Holiday, nobody is going to work so there is no need to enforce anything. And it was issued at 11.54am, with six minutes to go until the end of the restrictions.

“It just shouldn’t have happened and beggars belief a little bit. It’s a perfectly reasonable assumption to think restrictions don’t apply because it’s a Bank Holiday.

“It’s just a ridiculous case to be honest. I just find it very cynical. I think it’s about revenue collection and nothing to do with enforcement for the good of the people.”

James, who is a music producer and songwriter, said the incident has left his mother “very upset”. He says that day she was meant to be looking after her granddaughter, having spent her Christmas feeding disabled people.

He said: “She’s just an unbelievably caring and giving woman. She’s really, really one of the good ones. There’s not a bad bone in her body. It just seems very unjust.

“She was so upset and she couldn’t believe it. She hasn’t got a lot of money so £65 is a lot of money and it really soured the mood of the day. She’s elderly and these things affect you more.”

A spokesperson for APCOA, the firm contracted to deal with park issues in the borough said: “We enforce the parking policy set by our client, but if anyone has been issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) that they believe is unjustified, we strongly encourage them to follow the appeals process detailed on the PCN so we can review their individual circumstances.”

A spokesperson for Bromley council said: "A Blue Badge was not on display at the time. The penalty charge notice (PCN) includes a reference number allowing the motorist to see photos taken by the officer of the vehicle parked. We would always encourage a motorist who feels that a PCN is unfair to make a challenge and importantly, include all the relevant details, including details of the Blue Badge for instance, which can and should be uploaded if applicable.

"As a challenge has been received, the PCN is on hold whilst the circumstances are considered. As a guiding principle, the parking plate advises what days and times the restrictions apply and the Council’s website and Autumn Environment News delivered across the borough also makes it clear how motorists should park over the Christmas period.”

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