Traffic wardens issue parking fines to Travellers in Bournemouth car parks - Dorset

From the Daily Echo

TRAFFIC wardens have this year issued 16 parking fines in Bournemouth car parks where Travellers have set up camp.

A Freedom of Information request has revealed that the town’s wardens do issue tickets in car parks when Travellers are present.

But Bournemouth council has refused to clarify whether it was Travellers or ordinary motorists who were on the receiving end of the fines.

The information provided to the Echo reveals that four tickets were issued to motorists in Queens Road Lorry Park between March 10 and April 2, when there were up to five Travellers’ caravans stationed in the car park.

Six tickets were issued in the Eden Glen Car Park in Exeter Lane between April 5 and 17, whilst three caravans were on site.

Five tickets were handed out to people parked in the Winter Gardens car park between April 20 and May 4, when there were up to 12 caravans on site.

And one ticket was issued in Cotlands Road car park between April 30 and May 10, when there were up to 12 caravans on site.

The Freedom of Information request asked Bournemouth Council to provide details of tickets issued to motorists while Travellers were present in the car park. But further attempts to clarify whether or not wardens issued tickets to Travellers were unsuccessful.

Mike Holmes, director for planning and transport, said only: “Council enforcement officers will issue penalty charge notices where possible but our standard council policy advises that if they feel their personal safety is compromised then they should not put themselves at risk when carrying out their duties.”

The council figures also reveal that six of the 16 tickets were challenged but eventually 11 were paid and three cancelled.