Did this van deserve a parking ticket?

Van issued with a parking ticket when delivering a fridge to The Wellington

A van delivering and unloading a fridge on Thursday (31 August) to newly-reopened business, The Wellington was issued with a parking ticket.

Passerby Alex Smith, who witnessed the van receiving the ticket as it was parked on the pavement outside The Wellington, asks if the ticket was really necessary.

He said: “The only logical and truly safe and efficient way for the fridge I saw delivered was through the front main door and directly into the position it was needed. Anything else would have been stupid and ridiculous, to say the least. The van clearly was delivering to the venue; how exactly is a business supposed to operate if they can't install the things they need?”

He added: “I thought the Council were meant to be helping and encouraging new businesses?”

The driver appears to have taken care to avoid parking on the tram lane or posing an obstruction to pedestrians, pushchairs or wheelchairs.

Andrew Storey, head of highways at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Any driver who feels a parking notice may have been issued incorrectly can appeal the decision via the council’s website. Details of the appeals procedure are also printed on the notices.”

Under the Highway Code Rule 145, driving on or over a pavement, footpath or bridleway is forbidden, except to gain lawful access to property, or in the case of an emergency.

Rule 246, regarding Goods vehicles, states: 'Vehicles with a maximum laden weight of over 7.5 tonnes (including any trailer) must not be parked on a verge, pavement or any land situated between carriageways, without police permission.'

An exception applies only when parking is essential for loading and unloading, in which case the vehicle must not be left unattended.