Grandad blasts Reading council at £105 parking fine

Gabriele Scicluna, of Highmore Road in Caversham, was dropping his wife off at a temporary parking space in Marks & Spencer when he found himself fined.

The space forms part of the red route in and around Reading’s town centre, which does not allow stopping at any time.

The only exception is for two loading bays at M&S in Friar Street, where drivers can park for a maximum of 10 minutes.

The 72  year old has been fined £70, which will go down to £35 if paid within 14 days.

He then had 28 days to either pay the fine or make a representation.

However, Mr Sicluna posted a letter of appeal to the council’s internal post box at its offices in Bridge Street, the appeal was not received, meaning he has been hit with a £105 fine.

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Now he has blasted the council for the state of red lines and not processing his appeal in time. He said: “They [the road markngs] are decrepit. I put it into their internal letterbox so I ensured they received my appeal.

“They have not received the letter I posted internally.

“I appealed within 28 days, but they say they have not received my letter, even though I posted it directly to the council.

“These people are toying with us. These so called red lines are a mix of red, yellow and pink. It’s a disgrace!”

Adding: “I’m cheesed off with it.”

His appeal letter states: “The picture you have provided is totally inconclusive, does not show my vehicle in full nor indeed the vehicle registration number.

“You are making a mockery of the whole system.

“I have been fined previously for stopping on double red lines in the Oxford Road and duly paid my dues, but on this occassion I was not stopping (whilst my wife was being dropped off only) on or near red lines.

“Your so called red lines are a disgrace and not even painted red. They are obliterated by yellow paint. You are a joke.”

Gabriele Scicluna was hit with the parking fine after he dropped his wife off outside the M&S in Friar Street, Reading. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

The council is sticking to its guns over the placement of the markings.

A Reading Borough Council spokesperson said:  “The ‘no stopping’ restrictions in areas such this location in Friar Street help improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists by preventing dangerous or illegal parking or waiting.

“This is particularly important where there are very many demands on the limited road space available.

“There is a well-established appeal process in place for any motorist to challenge any Penalty Charge Notice and we would encourage drivers to follow it if they believe they have been unfairly fined.

“In this instance, we would encourage the driver to write into us using the correct channels – either online at www.reading.gov.uk/pcn or in writing post to Reading Borough Council, PO BOX 3011, Reading RG1 9RY.”

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Mr Scicluna has been invited to appeal the fine.

It was also clarified that a number of photos are taken as evidence of a parking fine, however only one photo can be attached to a PCN.