Local drivers warned after Hillsborough parking confusion

Audrey Spence, who owns Independent Healthcare Solutions, was stunned to receive a 30 parking notice last month despite having been told by NSL staff that she could park outside her business.

Audrey says she was told she could park outside the business in Ballynahinch Street, despite a one hour parking restriction, as the parking bay exceeded 30 metres and should therefore have been covered by two signs rather than the one currently there.

However, she was shocked to discover she had been fined, with Roads Service informing her the space is indeed enforceable.

Audrey explained: "The parking bay has a parking restriction of one hour, but the parking attendants had told me they couldn't enforce the parking sign as it is more than 30 metres long and there would have to be two signs to be able to issue a ticket, but Roads Service say it is enforceable."

Roads Service are now urging drivers to be aware that a parking notice will be issued should motorists park in this area for longer than an hour, but said Audrey's ticket has now been cancelled because of the confusion.

Audrey said. "I will park elsewhere now but where you can park in Hillsborough is another matter, there are no free spaces for businesses in the village; it's a total nightmare. The problem was the conflicting advice I was given."

A Roads Service spokesperson said: "The parking bays in Ballynahinch Street, Hillsborough are restricted to a 1 hour limited waiting period with no return in 1 hour; this applies Monday – Saturday, 8:30am – 6:30pm.

"Where Ms Spence's vehicle was parked is signed in accordance with the Traffic Signs Regulations and the photographs taken by the Traffic Attendant at the time clearly shows the limited waiting time plate beside the vehicle. The vehicle was first observed on 14 April 2010 at 15:01 and then again at 16:19 which exceeds the one hour permitted parking period, as such, the Penalty Charge Notice was issued correctly.

"The initial challenge received from Ms Spence on 21 April 2010 stated that she had been led to believe that the limited waiting was unenforceable; however, based on the information available at the time the challenge was rejected by the Roads Service for the reasons detailed above.

"Following receipt of the letter of rejection of challenge Ms Spence then contacted Roads Service by phone and advised that she had been told she could park at the location by an NSL Traffic Attendant who advised that the location was unenforceable due to inadequate signage. Following further investigation NSL have now confirmed that a Traffic Attendant did mistakenly advise Ms Spence that the area was not enforceable.

"Taking this new information into account Roads Service has now cancelled the Penalty Charge Notice and we shall advise Ms Spence of our decision."