Mother in parking row

This is Hertfordshire
by Staff Reporter

A WOMAN is appealing after receiving a penalty fine last week in a free, nearly empty car park for parking over the white line in order to allow her children in and out of their car seats.
Anne Nawas, 41, of Gorhambury estate, St Albans, parked in the Batchwood car park, run by National Car Parks, on Tuesday, July 4, while picking up her son from tennis lessons but parked one foot over the white line because of the narrow spaces.
With a car already parked to one side Mrs Nawas had to position her vehicle over the line to allow the doors to fully open so she could help her young children out.

On her return one hour later, she was angered to find a parking ticket attached to her Saab with a fine of £60, but the car park attendant refused to enter a discussion with her about the issue.
She said: "I think it is very unfair being given a ticket because of not parking neatly in a free car park nearly three-quarters empty. This is the kind of action that gives parking policy a bad name and parking attendants a bad reputation."
Mrs Nawas wants to make the council aware of how parking policy is being unfairly carried out by the private company.
She believes the NCP has lowered itself in the level of its practice, questioning its actions as a ploy to make money.
A spokesperson for the NCP said: "We must stay fair and consistent in our duty. She was a foot over the line. It is as simple as that."
St Albans District Council has told Mrs Nawas it is looking into the issue and thanked her for bringing it to its attention.
12:06pm Tuesday 18th July 2006