Collecting mail? That will cost you a parking ticket

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.southendstandard.co.uk/news/ ... ng_ticket/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A POSTMAN trying to do his job in Southend was issued with a parking ticket by a traffic warden.

The furious worker was caught after he stopped in Queen’s Road to pick up mail from the nearby Post Office in the High Street.


Former postman Eamonn McCormack, of Southchurch Road, spotted the incident unfolding and took a picture.

A flabbergasted Mr McCormack, aged 45, said: “It was ridiculous.

“If it had happened to me I would have gone mad.

“This guy was just trying to do his job by getting letters from the Post Office.

“Then he picks up a parking ticket.

“I spoke to the driver and he said it was happening to postmen all over Southend.

“Surely common sense should prevail in situations like this?”

Southend Council said Royal Mail vans which are on business should not be ticketed.

However, exceptions could be made. Andrew Meddle, the council’s head of planning and transport, said: “We can confirm a ticket was issued to a Post Office van in Queen's Road.

“This was because the vehicle was parked on double yellow lines with double kerb ticks.

“These are specific kerb markings at junctions, and at other points, where all vehicles are forbidden to stop because it is dangerous for other road users.’’ Mr Meddle added: “If anyone wishes to dispute a fixed penalty notice, they should follow the statutory procedures given with the ticket.”

Royal Mail said it would look into the incident.

Spokeswoman Sally Hopkins said: “Our staff are advised to park vehicles responsibly to minimise the disruption to other road users and pedestrians when they are undertaking collection and delivery duties.

“However, we are planning on speaking to our team in Southend to find out if any other problems have been occurring.”

[DGP1]

Really simple solution.........find somewhere that legal to park, park there and walk to the PO/post box...........if it takes an extra 10 minutes then that's up to the managers to sort out.

[Ahebban]

.. and take a colleague with you to ride 'shotgun'

[rainbowwarrior72]

My understanding is that normally alot of traffic wardens turn a blind eye but if you are unsure fail the box/firm and when you get back to the office inform the manager about the problem as soon as possible and they'll either instruct you to risk a ticket and Royal Mail will pay or they will go out with you and see for themselves. Some Post Offices are in parking restriction areas. I found that most managers will make a decision one way or the other but it won't cost you a penny. If you do it without consulting the manager some of them will leave you with the ticket and say it's your fault for not bringing it to their attention first.
Normally the traffic Wardens are pretty good and leave you alone.

[kawoxux]

judging by the picture.. no obstruction, no danger..

[Red Robbo]

Is it not the responsibility of the Collection & Networks manager to advise the local authority that Royal Mail vans may on some occasions park on yellow lines to deliver and collect mail and give the driver a little consideration before issuing parking tickets ??

[POSTMAN]

You can park on double yellows,it's the 2 kerb lines that are the problem here these have time restrictions,also the warden is a wank.

[PhilthyPhil]

Surely if we are able to stop on red routes to collect from boxes/POs we should be able to park where there are kerb markings. Funny this should come up today as our town centre has just had these painted on all the kerbs, which may make it impossible to collect from the main PO and box