Parking signs of the times

Published: 25 February 2010

• SHORTLY after 9pm on a Sunday about a month ago I stopped for a couple of minutes on Fortess Road adjacent to a pole displaying what I assumed were the loading restrictions for that section of the road (see picture).
It was then outside these prohibited times.
I subsequently received a Penalty Charge Notice from Camden.
I contested this on the grounds that according to the immediate signage I did not believe I had committed a parking violation. They have turned down my appeal stating that I was waiting in a bus stop where stopping is not permitted at any time.
The signage for that is at least 20 metres further down the road.
The council do not seem to be the least bit concerned that there is a stretch of road with two parking guidelines that completely contradict each other.
A cynic might arrive at the conclusion that this confusing situation is a deliberate ploy to entrap the unsuspecting motorist and optimise the revenue stream of the surveillance camera that monitors the area.
This camera is the one that failed to provide any information on the unfortunate hit and run death of Ethel Hall last year.
I pass there regularly and have yet to see the camera’s eye focused on anything other than the potentially lucrative traffic lanes to the north.
I’m sure your readers will agree that this sends out a very clear message that the council is only interested in revenue-raising, not the wellbeing of its’ residents.
PHILIP GREY
Burghley Road, NW5