We’re being fined for parking outside our own homes – it’s the council’s fault for disastrous delay

DRIVERS in a major city claim they are being fined for parking outside their own homes thanks to a disastrous council delay.

Motorists say that their appeals have been "instantly rejected" despite there allegedly being no way for them to park legally.

Homeowners in the Carrington area of Nottingham have found themselves between a rock and a hard place after the city council introduced a new residents permit scheme.

They claim that they have purchased the necessary documents, but are still receiving fines.

The residents blame delays of up to four weeks between them buying the permit and it actually being delivered.

The council says that this was down to "technical issues", which have now apparently been resolved.

However, permits are allegedly not treated as valid until they are delivered and displayed, leaving locals open to fines.

The system isn't working

Hazel McDOnaldBBC News

Even when they get the permit they have to pay £35 annually from the second year they have it, rising to £50 from the third year.

Lucy Brine, who lives on the affected street, alleged that she paid for a permit on March 21 but still hadn't received one a month later.

She told : "It's ridiculous, the traffic wardens are here that often, they should be paying council tax.

"We don't know what to do.

"A lot of people don't have driveways here so they have to park on the street.

"The council are sending out wardens to ticket everybody."

Neighbour Hazel McDonald claimed that she had received a penalty as she endured a four-week wait to receive her permit.

She added: "The system isn't working and as residents, we don't feel like we have a right of reply.

"I'm not sure how it's ever going to be resolved."

A Nottingham City Council spokesperson said: “Charging in this street was introduced last summer and all residents are sent a reminder six weeks before their permit runs out to make sure they have plenty of time to renew before it expires.

“There have been some issues recently with the permit-processing system and wider capacity issues within the council department which handles applications, so there is currently a two to three-week turnaround time.

"This is a little longer than usual but we’re confident the technical issues have now been resolved."