Parking row led motorist to vow never to spend again in Warwick or Leamington

Nigel Potter was so angered after his dealings with Warwick District Council that he will also boycott shops in Leamington.

Mr Potter, aged 66, his young granddaughter, and his son Tristan, visited the park on a Sunday when a band was playing, which attracted more visitors.

After finding all the parking spaces taken they parked under a tree next to a marked space and paid the £2 fee on July 22.

However, on their return his son’s car, along with others parked on grass, had been issued with penalty charges, which if paid within 14 days are reduced to £35.

But Mr Potter, a former postmaster for nearly 20 years, of Earlsdon, Coventry, decided to only pay £33, saying in correspondence to the council: “Had I not paid a parking fee I would have been fined £35, but as I did, but was judged to have parked in the wrong position, I have been fined £37. This cannot be right.”

He was told on August 24 that his “informal challenge” was rejected and that £2 was still owed.

Mr Potter sent off a cheque for £2 on September 14, but as the full discounted fee was not paid within 14 days, his son was then served with a notice saying he owed £37, bringing it up to £70.

The council said parking on grass areas can reduce visibility and churn up the grass, and pointed out that notices state park-ing must be in designated bays.

Mr Potter said: “I will never use St Nicholas Park again and will not be shopping in Leamington.”

He also wrote to council leader Michael Doody (Con, Radford Semele) “in the hope you will have someone with common sense look into this ridiculous situation”, but to no avail.

Warwick District Council said: “If Mr Potter was unhappy with our decision not to cancel the penalty charge he had the right to take his case to an independent adjudicator.

“When insufficient payments are received we endeavour to extend the period of time for individuals to meet the discounted or full amounts. If individuals fail to meet the extended timeframes then we would look to pursue the full amount as the discounted periods have been passed by some distance.”