Meters cause grief to drivers, claims lawyer

Joseph Hossein, from Maya Solicitors, claims that motorists are left confused by the free parking instructions (below) on the parking meters around Oldham.

Motorists are being caught out by incomprehensible and confusing instructions on parking meters, according to an Oldham law firm.

Maya Solicitors claims the meters are unfairly causing grief and anguish. The firm has heard of numerous drivers being fined by Oldham Council despite having a parking tickets and returning before the stated time.

Drivers are allowed to park free for up to 30 minutes in parking bays around the town centre, but with only one free period of parking per stay, whatever its length. The maximum stay is two hours, with no return within two hours.

Under these terms, a driver can buy only one ticket from a machine, as each ticket includes 30 minutes of free parking. Buying two one-hour tickets, one after another, results in two free periods of 30 minutes, leaving drivers liable to a penalty charge.

Solicitor Joseph Hossein said: “This is not entirely clear from the terms and conditions. As a public body the council should operate as openly and clearly as possible.

“All the council needs to do is state in unambiguous language that a second ticket isn’t allowed. Having failed to mention this, drivers are obtaining two tickets and subsequently being fined.”

Mr Hossein and a colleague asked customers about their understanding of the rules and no one gave a correct interpretation.

The firm recently challenged the council for a client given a parking ticket in the circumstances decribed above. Oldham Council maintained there was no ground for cancelling the penalty.

The firm is now considering further legal action.

A council spokesperson confirmed that with a ticket you automatically get 30 mins of free parking.

After the period is up, the driver must move the vehicle to another place - and not one only a few feet away.

Councillor Jean Stretton said: “These decisions were made to help the town centre economy prosper and it has proved popular with traders and shoppers.”