Pensioner penalised for
displaying disabled
badge upside down!
EXCLUSIVE by Gary Skentelbery
A 77-year-old Warrington motorist had a parking ticket slapped on his car because he was displaying his blue badge permit upside down!
Disabled blue badge holder Archie Burton is the latest victim of a purge on illegally parked vehicles by Warrington Borough Council contractors who took over parking enforcement earlier this year with the aim of making the town’s roads safer.
To rub salt in the wounds Archie, who now faces a ?60 fine worked for the council’s leisure services department for nearly 30 years before retiring on health grounds.
The parking ticket was issued even though an attendant was challenged by Archie’s son Alan, who saw the drama unfolding before his very eyes.
“I offered to get the car keys from my office across the road so I could turn the ticket around which would have taken less than two minutes but the warden wouldn’t have any of it. He said it was too late and the ticket had been issued.
“He even told me he had phoned his head office to check on whether he should issue a ticket or not – so he must have had some doubts and yet he refused to change his mind!” added Alan.
“It is all well and good issuing tickets to people who fail to get pay and display tickets or park illegally, but to target blue badge holders just because their badge has been put in upside down is unbelievable. It is a complete joke!”
Archie, who receives treatment from his doctor for breathlessness, said: “I park on the car park nearly every day so the wardens must recognise my car by now and realise I have a legitimate blue badge. I think they have been very petty.
“You would have thought they would show a human side and realise a genuine mistake has been made when a pass has been put on the dash board upside down.”
The Council took over the enforcement of parking regulations from Cheshire Police who had been unable to give parking enforcement priority for some time – with many Warrington motorists effectively getting away with illegal parking on double yellow lines for several years.
Specialist parking contractor APCOA were appointed and operate a team of parking attendants across the borough, issuing Penalty Charge Notices (parking tickets) to vehicles that are parked incorrectly.
There is a ?60 fine for illegal parking. However, if paid within 14 days it reduces to ?30. If unpaid after 28 days it rises to ?90. Unpaid penalty charges are a civil debt recoverable in the same ways as any other such debt.
Just three months after being launched the council’s clampdown on illegal car parking has cost motorists more than ?150,000 in fines.
In the first three months nearly 6,000 tickets were issued, although almost 1,000 have been rescinded on appeal.
Council leader Ian Marks (pictured) said: “If the facts are as stated I would like to pass on a personal apology to Mr Burton as it would appear the parking attendant has acted in haste. There clearly needs to be more training about sensitivity and common sense. In most cases the scheme is working well but there clearly needs to be a greater level of understanding and training which is something we are putting into place with the contractors.”
Picture shows Archie Burton with his son Alan and the offending ticket
Facing the future
by Lesley Wilkinson
OLDER people at a residential home in Lymm near Warrington, are facing the future by embracing new technology.
Two Nintendo games machines have been donated to the folk at Booths Hill House residential home, Booths Hill Road. And the 24 residents are eagerly awaiting their turn to play.
Claire Lyons, manager, said: “They are going down a treat. I was surprised, as I didn’t feel they would be interested.”
The games company has donated a number of machines to home managers CLS, which have been distributed to several homes.
Claire said residents are using memory games, drawing and doing maths on the machines, to keep themselves alert. The Internet has also recently been installed and residents are making full use of it.
She said: “They are enjoying shopping for clothes and shoes on the Internet and also emailing family and friends.” Picture shows Lymm resident Stan Monks playing a brain training game on a Nintendo DS.
Looking to start
a business?
by Lesley Wilkinson
ANYONE who has ever dreamed of running their own business may be interested in an open day being held on Friday and Saturday in Warrington Market.
The New Warrington Market Enterprise Programme helps lone parents and people receiving unemployment or sickness benefits to become self-employed.
Last year following the first project many people launched businesses at the market and Warrington Borough Council has decided to run the scheme again.
It is organised in partnership with Warrington Business Venture, and offers support, training and advice to new businesses and a subsidy to help with rent payments.
The open day, between 10.30am and 3.30pm in the rear market hall caf?, will give people the chance to talk to market bosses and traders about the business.
Coun Peter Walker, executive member for corporate services, said: “It is vital to the continued growth of Warrington that we provide opportunities for everyone to succeed and make a real difference to their lives. The Market Enterprise Programme is an excellent way to help people achieve their ambitions.”
He said there that even if people do not qualify for the scheme there are other ways they can start a business at the market.
Further details about the event are available from Paul Blaney on 01925 632571 or by email on [email protected]
Fundraisers wanted
by cancer charity
by Lesley Wilkinson
A CANCER charity is hoping to involve Warrington people in a campaign to raise enough money to help everyone suffering from the killer disease by 2010.
Macmillan Cancer Support has a variety of fundraising activities and wants local people to join in their campaign.
Warrington based Community fundraiser for North West Cheshire Aimee Scally said: “We want everyone affected by cancer to receive the right level of treatment and support regardless of who they are and where they live.”
Fundraising events include racing driver Jamie Stanley who is raising awareness and funds for the branch by displaying its logo on his racing car.
The charity make grants to people with cancer and last year in North West Cheshire 245 patients received a total of ?93,018. Money went to items such as new clothing for someone who had lost weight due to illness, prescriptions, heating costs and money for a liquidiser for someone who could not eat solid food.
The next major event is The Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning in September and Warrington people are invited to join in by organising one.
Aimee said: “You simply have to get people together and put the kettle on! Last year nearly two million people raised ?6.7 million for people living with cancer. This year we need you to help create an even bigger stir!
“Employees could persuade their boss to raffle off a day’s holiday, allow a ‘Dress Down Day’, or a fabulous ‘Office Party’! Of course, it’s always a great idea to simply take a collection tin off our hands for all those who have some spare change they wish to donate!”
Picture – Racing driver Jamie Stanley with the charity’s logo on his racing car.
Players wanted
by staff reporter
PLAYERS are wanted for a new under 10s rugby team being formed in Woolston, Warrington.
Woolston Rovers Junior Rugby League Club hopes to get the team ready for the new season.
Training will take place at Bennetts Recreation Ground, Padgate from 6.30pm to 7.30pm every Wednesday and is open to boys and girls in the current years 3 and 4 regardless of experience or ability.
The first session will be on Wednesday June 13.
Anyone interested should contact Paul Berry on 07793 213 329.
History on show
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON based archaeologist James Balme gave a live presentation to members of Culcheth History Group at Culcheth Library giving an insight to “behind the scenes” with Channel 4’s Time Team, to a packed audience of more than 40 people.
As well as giving an insight into the programme he also gave a demonstration of life in prehistoric times and also displayed many of the finds he has made at nearby Warburton.
He then highlighted future research projects he will be carrying out in the area including various unusual prehistoric crop marks in Warburton which could represent a bronze age burial ground.
Carry on camping
by staff reporter
MEMBERS of Lymm Rotary Club near Warrington have donated ?300 to the 2nd Lymm Guides to enable the group to attend a reunion camping event near Frodsham later this year.
The guides raised ?300 towards the cost of five new tents which was match funded by Rotary.
The new tents were needed to replace those which had suffered wear and tear after more than 20 years continuous use.
Club secretary John Beard said: “We didn’t want the girls to miss out on this special event and were happy to match fund their fund-raising efforts.”
