Postman fined by Barnet Council while helping elderly neighbour on delivery route in Woodside Park Road

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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A postman received a parking fine while helping an elderly resident on his route.

David Welland, 31, of Linthorpe Road, New Barnet, parked his car on Woodside Park Road while delivering on his route, but was ticketed for stopping for just 10 minutes while he helped an elderly neighbour, due to the road being a controlled zone between 2pm and 3pm.

As a postman, Mr Welland is able to park any vehicle used for his deliveries without fear of being ticketed, regardless of whether it is a red delivery van, but on appealing his £50 fine he was refused and the fine increased to £110.

Only when Mr Welland took his case to the traffic adjudicator was the fine revoked, despite fighting against almost one kilogram's worth of evidence, making him feel let down by the system which he is seeking to serve.

He said: "I feel the attitude of Barnet has not only undermined but belittled the service Royal Mail gives the public, not only in its postal service but, as and when possible, to help, advise and assist."

He added that he was disappointed to have contacted three councillors, who he did not name, but did not receive a reply from any of them.

On May 15 Mr Welland stopped his car, which was not a red Royal Mail vehicle, while delivering letters along the road, but around 2.10pm, which is 10 minutes later that the beginning of the controlled zone.

He helped his neighbour, meaning he was slightly delayed to return to his car, which had been ticketed when he reached it.

Derek Dishman, who writes the Mr Mustard blog, said: "The council's incorrect rejection of Mr Welland's perfectly valid challenge may have been motivated by the council's desire for income as that seems to have trumped the need to be good citizens."

He also suggested those who processed the ticket may not have understood the rules which allow him to park during his duties.

He added: "I encourage people who think they are being hard done by to go to appeal at London Tribunals as there they get a free, fair and impartial hearing."

A Barnet Council spokesperson said: "The vehicle in question – which on appearance did not look part of the branded Royal Mail fleet – was parked on a restricted yellow line in a controlled parking zone during the prescribed hours, between 2pm and 3pm. A penalty charge notice was issued to the vehicle for that reason.

"Having reviewed the evidence, the Traffic Adjudicator ruled in favour of Mr Welland.

"A decision by an adjudicator is based on their personal assessment of an appeal and does not set a precedent."

[glenfiddich]

I thought we weren't allowed to use our cars on delivery anymore

[cantonkid1955]

With respect to Mr Wellands decision not to name the councillors who ignored his emails,,it is by NOT naming and shaming them that they are able to get away with doing as little as possible for as long as possible for as much as possible,,name them,,shame them so that ,come election time,,they will be down the Benefits office,,and Barnet council should hang its head in shame,,I'm perplexed as to how an initial fine of 50 quid can more than double on appeal,,as I understand it,,when an appeal in lodged within the agreed time frame,the initial fine is frozen until the appeal is held,,and if the appeal is rejected,then the intitial fine has to be paid,which ,in this case,is 50 quid,,not 110 quid,..also...how many other cases have Barnet council wrongly ticketed vehicles,and people have just paid up because,,as its the council,they must be right,,its extortion, and an investigation,and subsequent public enquiry into Barnets parking enforcement should be opened up,,its about time people fought back against these council bullies.

[TheTrolleyMan]

Why was he using his own vehicle on company business ?

[Tman]

Maybe it was a hired van?

[worktotime]

using a car on delivery ?