Motorist overturns ticket for parking on zigzag lines

Motorists caught parking on invalid zigzag lines in Rochdale could have been fined illegally according to a man who had two tickets overturned in court.

Mohammed Yousaf, 44, of Castleton, contested the ticket he received for parking on ‘black zigzag lines’ in Drake Street and when Rochdale Council refused to reconsider, the case was taken to a tribunal which Mr Yousaf won.

“I emailed the council three times, asking them to please reconsider and explaining the lines were broken,” he explained.

“They responded by saying the charge would stand and would go to a tribunal so I told them I was more than happy to see them there!”

Mr Yousaf, former manager of the independent Rochdale Complaints Authority, says after a previous ticket was overturned outside RBS he wrote to the council asking for the lines to be repainted. To date, however, he says they have not, despite his latest successful challenge.

“Before I parked there I thought twice about it,” he said. “I asked myself, what does the law say? And it says white zigzags can’t be parked on, not black zigzags.

“This is all I used to do for my living which is how I knew the law – this is why I love these challenges.”

A spokesperson for Rochdale Borough Council said: “When we receive the official written recommendations from the adjudicator, we will review and give them careful consideration regarding the visibility of signage and line markings in this area.

"We aim to ensure that all parking restrictions are clear to motorists so that they’re aware when restrictions are in place.

"Every appeal which is received in relation to a penalty charge notice is considered on its own merit.”

Mr Yousaf told Rochdale Online a relative who also got caught out by the lines outside RBS had her parking fine reconsidered when she explained Mr Yousaf’s case.

Mr Yousaf says many residents who do not know the law could have been wrongly fined by Rochdale Council.