Wardens’ war

DOUBLE trouble . . . William Bowles outside his shop and the signs which he says are costing him business

Ironing firm being taken to cleaners over sign

A businessman claims traffic wardens are bullying and harassing his customers before slamming them with parking fines.

William Bowles (38) owns Gold Star Professional Ironing Services in Oldham Road, Failsworth.

The road has double yellow lines and a sign stating “no waiting at any time” is outside the shop. But Mr Bowles believes a sign which specifies no loading times allows customers to load and unload items between 9.30am and 4.30pm.

He claims NCP traffic wardens are waiting for customers taking in ironing or dry cleaning to park outside the shop between those hours before issuing £30 fines.

He said: “We are being bullied by traffic wardens. If someone pulls up to unload outside the shop, one warden in particular will drive up, take a picture, and issue a fine.

“It is very suspicious how that person happens to be there when customers arrive. The warden has also told customers that I’ve been told only small items can be unloaded. This particular traffic warden is driving customers away.”

Mr Bowles said he has contacted NCP but has not had a satisfactory answer, and has submitted a formal letter of complaint.

He said: “Every person I spoke to at NCP is came up with different rules.

“I’d contacted the council’s traffic department eight months ago which said unloading was allowed.

“We had put some lost business down to the economic climate but I rang eight of my customers and two said they could not use me because of the traffic warden.”

Mr Bowles is looking for other Oldham Road business to back his petition.

Oldham Council’s parking manager, Pauline Phillips said: “Since the beginning of the year, 13 penalty charge notices have been issued by four different enforcement officers. While we appreciate that some business owners are unhappy, there is no evidence of victimisation.”

She explained: “Oldham Road currently has two different types of parking restriction in force, a ‘no waiting at any time’ restriction, as well as a restriction on loading and unloading.

“All notices issued have been for vehicle parking in contravention of the ‘no waiting at any time’ restriction.

“This is because if there’s no clear indication that a vehicle is been loaded or unloaded during off-peak hours an enforcement officer will issue a penalty charge notice for breaking the no waiting rules.”