OUTRAGE OVER PARKING FINES

Paul McDowell received the ticket, despite having paid and displayed. He said the line was so faded and broken in the space, between banks of marked parking bays, that he assumed it was another pay and display space.

Mr McDowell, who is appealing the fine, has taken photographs of the faded line and has watched as many other motorists were left in the same predicament. In fact he has even approached motorists who have driven into the space to warn them that you cannot park there.

“This section of the road is clearly not properly marked,” said Mr McDowell. “Drivers, such as myself, are parking there in the genuine belief that it is a parking space and we are paying for a ticket as well.

“I have stood and watched tickets being issued and this seems to be a goldmine for the traffic wardens,” he continued.

“I have seen three people park in that exact spot within two hours. How many more citizens of Lisburn or further afield are being caught out?

“Things like this will put people off coming into Lisburn to do their shopping,” he added.

Mr McDowell is urging anyone who has received a fine for parking in this spot to raise the issue with Roads Service and to challenge their fine.

A spokesperson for Roads said they wouldn’t comment on individual cases but gave assurances that the road markings on Antrim Street would be checked “within the next few weeks”.

He added: “Roads Service cannot comment on the issue of an individual Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), however, anyone who receives a PCN has the opportunity to make a challenge if they feel it has been unjustly issued and this process can be progressed to an independent adjudicator who will make the final decision.”

* Have you been caught out by the faded road markings on Antrim Street? Have you a parking fine you intend to challenge? Do you think the road markings should be made clearer? Let us know your thoughts by emailing [email protected].