Lambeth accused of new parking scam (From Streatham Guardian)

Lambeth accused of new parking scam

4:24pm Tuesday 8th July 2008

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"Scheming" traffic wardens have been accused of running a ticketing scam in a West Norwood street.

Local traders said the wardens behaviour typified ticketing in the area that has instigated a worrying fall in business over the past two years as shoppers stay away for fear of being slapped with fines.

In this latest episode over-zealous wardens took advantage of the temporary removal of a sign showing parking restrictions in Lansdowne Hill, and ticketed hundreds of people who normally park there legally.

The sign - which has now been replaced - showed people could park for up to half an hour in a parking bay popular with shoppers because of its proximity to the high street.

However when the sign was removed over a month ago wardens are said to have hid and systematically ticketed unsuspecting motorists who parked there within seconds of them leaving their vehicles.

Mick Kerr, a greengrocer who runs a stall in Lansdowne Hill every Thursday, said he saw about 50 people in a day receive tickets for parking in the bay.

Other traders reported similar figures on other days, meaning an estimated thousand motorists could have been ticketed in the month the wardens are said to have operated the scam.

This could have hauled in £50,000 for the council coffers - if all those fined paid the reduced £50 fine for quick payment.

Lambeth council refused to say how many people had been fined, and how much ticketing in the area had increased in recent weeks.

Trader Mr Kerr said: "It was unbelievable. These scheming wardens would literally hide, wait for someone to park and the moment they had their backs turned give them a ticket."

"It had to be a scam," he added. "Revenue was the only thing on their mind, otherwise they would have told people they could not park there instead of keeping quiet and then giving them a ticket."

He said tickets were handed out even though signs on surrounding bays showed short-term parking was permitted.

Linda Frith, who manages florists Floral Hall in Norwood Road, said customers came into the shop "fuming" after receiving tickets.

She said she was shocked people picking up flowers for funerals were handed fines, despite explaining why they parked there.

"Its terrible behaviour," she added. "We have seen a real drop in business because of this type of ticketing. Someone has to put a stop to it."

Norwood town centre manager Khadiru Mahdi said he would not comment on whether parking wardens had been acting over-zealously in West Norwood.

Yet he said the council would look at parking restrictions and their effect on businesses as it consults over its masterplan for the area in the next few months.

A Lambeth council spokesman admitted that some people may have been given tickets incorrectly because of confusion over signage.

"We always encourage anyone who feels they have been given a ticket unfairly to appeal, and will, of course always cancel tickets if appropriate," he added.

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