Clock this

The below is the blue badge and clock which was on display.

The clock in question was supplied by Motability many years ago although they are usually supplied by a council with the blue badge and are meant to be blue in colour and are usually a light shade. This clock has been used for years without a problem (and will now be replaced, you can buy clocks on ebay if you are in a rush).

If the cover is removed this is what is left:

Mr Mustard can't see that it matters the colour of the outside of the clock, it isn't there to look pretty but to indicate the time of arrival, within 15 minutes.

The first challenge was rejected:

It is incorrect. A parking clock was displayed but it was of the wrong colour which is what the rejection should have said.

The motorist didn't wait for the Notice to Owner but wrote in again as many people do and it must annoy the council as they have to take time in responding (it can be argued that you can write in more than once before the Notice to Owner is issued as the back of the PCN says that representations before the Notice to Owner will be considered. The statement is not in the singular).

A second rejection was received.

Another error, the clock was correctly set.

In due course the Notice to Owner arrived, was challenged and at the third time of asking Barnet Council cancelled having wasted everyone's time.

What this nonsense tells you is that persistence pays.

The end.

 

Blue badge clock up

It is in the nature of the elderly and/or disabled to forget, sometimes, to put their blue badge clock out when they park on single or double yellow lines (which they are allowed to do for up to 3 hours as long as there aren't any restrictions on loading, which are usually indicated by kerb flashes and a sign).

The mother of a friend put her badge out, but forgot the clock, when she recently parked in High Barnet at 10:38 in the morning. She got a parking ticket.

Mr Mustard appealed on the grounds that although the clock was not on display a contravention could not have taken place as the yellow line is only operative from 08:00 so parking tickets for this offence should not be issued before 11:00

The council didn't accept that argument but did cancel the ticket because of an unspecified "technical error". It would have been nice to know what it was but the main thing is that the parking ticket was cancelled.

Mr Mustard is inclined to think that the argument is a good one. It has been used to good effect in PATAS case 2080110323. Mr Mustard recommends that if you find yourself in similar circumstances that you trot out the same argument.

Yours frugally

Mr Mustard