On friday I parked outside Leasowe train station (normally use the car park but the barriers were coming down and I didn't want to be late for a meeting in Liverpool. When I got back I found a fixed penalty ticket for unnecessary obstruction (view restricted) on my windscreen. I was on the road (no signs or road marking telling you not to park there) and I really can't see what view I was obstructing. It's the part of Reeds Lane immediately by the Liverpool bound train platform and there were about three cars ahead of me before the barrier who also got tickets. Can anyone shed any light on what I did wrong? I'm tempted to go to court and appeal the fine as I've just been medically retired from work and can't afford to waste £30 but don't want to get a bigger fine in court if I'm in the wrong? Any advice appreciated.
Is there a continuous white line in the centre of the road where you parked, perhaps 2 or one with one line broken, if yes, I think that's how they have got you. Pay your fine or it could increase. Work out cheaper in the end, if you are in the wrong. Good luck.
God help us, Come yourself, Don't send Jesus, This is no place for children.
Just checked the white lines on Street View and there are lines either side of the level crossing. Depends where you were parked in relation to them. It must have been tried before by the wardens. So you mightn't have a leg to stand on. I have, in the past, especially if I was going to be home very late in the winter months, left my car on Reeds Lane, a good three hundred yards up from the Merseyrail car park. But only because there was a spate of thefts from cars etc in the car park at the time.
I have just come through the Leasowe level crossing and as I understand it you approached from Leasowe Castle end.If you then parked between the bus stop and the crossing there is a solid white line on your side of the road.That means anybody passing you has to cross the solid white line which means they are being forced to break the law.That must be what they did you for and I can't see any hope of you winning an appeal, sorry.
Firstly, it is permitted in the highway code to cross the solid white lines to pass a slow or stationary vehicle, so really , you weren't obstructing anybody, and if you weren't parked on yellow lines, I would email an appeal off including photos etc. You then don't have to pay until they respond and if it's rejected, you then get another 14 days to pay the reduced fine.
All this is assuming its a council ticket. If it's a police ticket, then just pay it as they wouldn't have put it there if its not correct. Council wardens just issue tickets in the hope they get away with it, they have tried to mug me off loads of times but ive won many appeals.
If you read the rules on where you can park there are at least 2 reasons why they could claim you were parked incorrectly in this case. At or near a bus stop: on the approach to a level crossing.
If there are double white lines in the centre of the road,broken or otherwise,parking is not permitted.Sorry.
Solid Center lines mean "No Crossing the line" nothing about parking. Normally these line co inside with Solid white lines along the side of the road. Which mean no Stopping or parking on the carriage way.
I was looking if there was a reference to parking distance from the crossing like a zebra crossing. But i'm not seeing one.
If you were parked where these 3 cars were i can not see the problem, as the line in the center of the road is broken on there side which means as a motorist you can cross (no problem) how ever if you were on the other side then it "could" be a problem as the line is solid in the center of the road and if there was not enough space then cars may have to cross that line. But i don't see that being your problem as they should have "No Parking" Solid white lines down the side next to the pavement, as long as that center line is. But food for thought is that if there were white lines at the sides that would mean no stopping or parking on the carriageway.
108. Double white lines where the line nearest you is solid. This means you MUST NOT cross or straddle it unless it is safe and you need to enter adjoining premises or a side road. You may cross the line if necessary to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are travelling at 10mph or less.
I think the wardens are getting you on a unknown ? No signs or warnings.
Personally i think you have good grounds for an appeal if your parked where the cars are in the picture, as i can not find any reference to distance from the crossing (But may exist).
Off topic slightly , so i apologise , but i went to Monks Ferry yesterday to watch the swimmers doing the Mersey Tri and i was disgusted that 2 wardens there ticketing away...
217. DO NOT park your vehicle or trailer on the road where it would endanger, inconvenience or obstruct pedestrians or other road users. For example, do not stop
• near a school entrance • anywhere you would prevent access for Emergency Services • at or near a bus stop or taxi rank • on the approach to a level crossing • opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space • near the brow of a hill or hump bridge • opposite a traffic island or (if this would cause an obstruction) another parked vehicle • where you would force other traffic to enter a tram lane • where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users • in front of an entrance to a property • on a bend.
How ever my view would bring into question that the kerb on the right side actually is increased. Meaning that there is no obstruction after about 5-10ft from the crossing.
Cars are not obstructed nor are they hindered. Because of the increase on the right side of the road and with a car parked its no narrower than the left side of the road.
Normally in these situations there are white carriage way lines along the kerb / road meaning keep clear. And looking at the picture again, it cant be obstruction as the white line is broken on the side of the parked cars.
I smell Jobs Worth.
It would NOT endanger, inconvenience or obstruct pedestrians or other road users. In my opinion from what i can see.
The word approach is used but this parking is AFTER the crossing