A jobsworth traffic warden has been slammed after he slapped a parking ticket – on a FUNERAL CAR.
Chauffeur Peter Norris, 55, had finished helping pallbearers load a coffin into a hearse when he saw the £70 penalty on the windscreen of the 26ft-long limousine.
He had parked his six-door car in a residents parking area outside Pat Cook Funeral Services in Lincoln on Monday (17/8), before collecting the grieving family.
But as he returned to the car, which was supplied by The Carriage Master, he noticed the ticket.
Managing Director James Hardcastle said: “At 26ft long with six doors, highly polished and immaculate, it’s obvious this big black car parked outside a funeral directors is part of a funeral procession.
“The driver arrived at the funeral home, went inside and was only there for seven or eight minutes.
“It was parked just outside of the establishment on residential parking. He was unaware it was residential parking.
“He had gone inside the parlour to let them know he was there and help transfer the coffin to the hearse on the site.
“It was a matter of minutes.
“It was ridiculous. I just think they should use common sense.”
“My biggest issue is the lack of common sense.
“There is no discernable reason why this vehicle should have been ticketed when clearly it was being used for the purposes of a funeral – by virtue of the fact it was parked within the vicinity of a funeral director.
“This is a simple case of an over-zealous traffic warden in our opinion when we’re helping bereaved families in their time of need and distress.”
Lincolnshire County Council claimed the warden was not aware the vehicle was part of a funeral procession at the time.
Its officials said the vehicle was in a residential parking space without a permit but has urged the driver to appeal the fine.
Parking Services Officer Matt Jones said: “It wasn’t clear to the parking warden that it was being used at that time as part of a funeral.
“If it was being used for that purpose, we are able to exercise discretion and recommend that the funeral company in question follows the appeals process outlined on the ticket.”
Mr Hardcastle, 36, of Goole, East Yorks., confirmed the company would be appealing the fine.
