A business owner was shocked to receive a fine when his delivery van was parked in a loading bay.
It is the first time international grocers Pamir, in Preston Road, Brighton, has received a fine since red routes were introduced along the road in April.
Owner Ishaq Karimi, 33, said that the business received several deliveries daily, except on Sundays, using its own vehicles or suppliers.
Brighton and Hove City Council’s penalty charge notice said that the company’s van was pictured parked in the loading bay at 12.05pm on Saturday 31 August.
At the time, Mr Karimi said that his driver and team were off-loading stock worth about £7,000.
He said: “I think what had happened was they had finished the unloading and then the driver went to the toilet. We don’t stay here after loading and unloading.
“We have a fear of whether we should park here. At the end of the day, the driver needs to use the loo. He’s not a machine.”
Mr Karimi spoke out after seeing how London Road butcher’s M and B Meats had received a similar fine after six minutes of apparent inactivity while unloading on two dates in July.
Clark Maides, of M and B Meats, is appealing against both fines.
Brighton and Hove City Council introduced the red routes along London Road, Preston Road and Lewes Road in April.
The routes are monitored by cameras and the footage is checked by people rather than automatically before fines are issued.
Business owners and residents have shared their concerns about the routes which are subject to a consultation until the end of this month.
In response to the feedback, a loading bay was lengthened from 6 metres to 12 metres to enable lorries to deliver to McDonald’s and Taco Bell.
The council’s cabinet member for transport, parking and the public realm, Trevor Muten, said: “Delivery vehicles are able to use loading bays and there is no time limit on the length of time they may park while they are loading or unloading.
“Fines will be issued only if a vehicle remains parked for a period of time and no loading or unloading is seen as taking place. That was the case in this instance.
“We are committed to listening to residents and traders and will consider any appeal which is made if someone feels they have been fined unfairly.”
Business owners and residents affected by the red routes can submit feedback by emailing parkingprojects@brighton-hove.gov.uk before Monday 30 September.
It’s a pretty safe bet the council will reject the appeal irrespective of the evidence. I would advise taking the appeal to the parking ombudsman, it costs nothing and is impartial. I have had two appeals on PCNs upheld by them after being rejected by the council’s in house appeal system.
Indeed, the explanation that the driver was using the facilities and was only there for a short period of time seems to be a reasonable one, and would make the fine in this instance in my opinion disproportionate.
Don’t pay. Then when they pass it onto Marstons and Marstons claim they have a court warrant against you demand a copy of the court warrant and deed of novation where you agreed to your data and debt being sold to a third party. Neither exists and they eventually leave you alone. They only go after the soft targets who don’t know any better.
Terrible advice on multiple aspects.
Muten should not be head of the Transport committee. He is in bed with the cycling lobbyists of Bricycles and Sustrans and is clearly not impartial .That’s why he wants to steamroller VG3 through.
What is a cyclist lobby? The highway code itself encourages cycle use over car use for short journey in urban areas…
No the highway code does not say that. That is the government’s CWIS2 that says that. It is not written in the highway code.
Charlie a) doesn’t seem to like nice things, b) may have an aversion to two wheels and c) probably loves diesel.
His posts are conspiratorial and better suited to the Mail Online.
Thanks for turning up though Charlie.
Always good to get the ad hominem attacks from the Council/Green apologists! Will you be contributing to the £7m+ VG3 is costing the local taxpayer?
Love Charlie
Muten and the idiots in the Transport Dept know VG3 is going to be a costly debacle – yet they go ahead with it anyway. Their own consultants said VG3 will cause more congestion (and therefore pollution) and will have minimal benefit. And , of course, it will cost residents 6m quid. Great to see BHCC is acting in the best interests of the majority!
I’ve yet to see any substantiating of any of your claims over the last month. Without any evidence, it just come across as vindictive conspiracy.
Loading bays are for loading, but many people see them as extra parking spaces. I’m glad that the council are taking the issue seriously.
This guy seems to think the loading bay is for him and him only. Good on the council for sending him a message he understands, in his pocket. I bet the van was parked there for hours, it usually is.
As a taxi service, we regularly facilitate the movement of passengers to and from businesses, airports, and other locations. By providing free access to loading bays, it would not only allow us to operate more efficiently but also benefit local businesses that rely on quick and reliable transport for their customers. Additionally, this would help reduce congestion, streamline services, and improve customer satisfaction.
I believe this adjustment would encourage the continued success of local businesses and enhance the overall efficiency of transport services in the area.