Local motorists angry at council raking in money from car parking fines

Following the recent revelation that Rochdale Council raked in almost £400,000 from car parking fines, Rochdale Online spoke to local motorists about this controversial issue.

Sean, a local resident, said: “I was visiting someone at the town flats and couldn’t get a permit because the office was closed. I got a ticket and when I challenged it because of the office hours my challenge was declined.”

Sean added: “You always see council vans parking on double yellow lines and they never get a ticket. We parked on some once because they were faded and you couldn’t see them and we got a ticket there too.”

Carole Davidson, who had spent the afternoon shopping in Rochdale, told of how she received a penalty charge notice: “We didn’t have enough money for the full time so we were planning to come back after lunch for a new ticket. When we came back it had expired by about 10 minutes and we had a ticket waiting.”

One man parking near Rochdale Town hall said: “I don’t agree with ripping motorists off because it is done too often.”

“I think they take the mickey,” said another lady, “they use short stay parking so they can get people with tickets.”

Margaret Smith, another Rochdale shopper said: “Luckily it has been a long time since I’ve had a ticket but I don’t think expensive parking is the way to go. It will drive people out of Rochdale and stop people coming.”