Pensioner from Victoria Gardens, Newark, disputing parking fines with Nottinghamshire County Council

A 76-year-old woman is in dispute with a council after having been fined twice for parking at her flat.

Joan Adler requested a parking permit as soon as she moved into a council house on Victoria Gardens off Baldertongate, Newark, in March.

The day she was moving into the flat, which has nine dedicated parking spaces, a parking warden fined her £70 for not having a parking permit.

Joan called Nottinghamshire County Council to dispute the fine as she had applied for the permit and was waiting for its arrival.

“They said that they couldn’t see the application but that they would send the permit as soon as possible,” she said.

“A week and a half later I phoned them again as I haven’t received it. They had a look and found out they sent it to the wrong address.

“I had to give them my address and all the details once again. They said they would get it to me the next day, just before Easter.”

On April 11 the most recent resident at Victoria Gardens was still waiting for her parking permit and put application number on the front of her car.

A few days later, Joan was fined for the second time.

“I was in such a state, so angry and upset. It’s not my fault that they haven’t sent me anything,” she said.

“I had to move my car, they either can’t read or are stupid. I had to park at my friend's house after this.”

The pensioner has contacted Newark and Sherwood District Council who were supportive of her to appeal the fines.

The district council sent an email to Nottinghamshire County Council to dispute the second ticket.

On Wednesday morning after Easter, Joan sent an email to Nottinghamshire County Council to dispute the second ticket.

“I just thought that if I have to phone them again, I’ll just receive nonsense talk,” she said.

“I got a call from them and she said they were going to send me a new one.

“A whole month later and nothing, absolutely disgusting service.

“Why are they interfering and fining us?

“If Newark and Sherwood hadn’t sent them an email looking at my case, I would have never got the phone call.

“If I have another ticket I will collapse.”

After waiting over a month and receiving two fines, Joan has received her permit.

A Highways manager from Nottinghamshire County Council said: “We have received an application for a permit from Ms Adler and her free permit was unfortunately posted to an incorrect address.

“Ms Adler did receive Penalty Charge Notices because she parked in the Residents’ Scheme without a valid permit, but these have now been cancelled and a new permit sent to her correct address.”