OMO: Parking in metered bays.

OMO please clear something up for me, I've just had a discussion with a parking attendant out side work. Due to the snow compacting into ice Im unable to get the bike round the back as I normally do. So I've parked the bike round the front, this has meant Im parking in metered bays.

Previously I've been told parking in metered bays is technically free for motorcycles due to the "my ticket fell off" default appeal.
The parking attendent didnt agree so while I stood and awaited my £35 fine he asked me where I'd formed such an opinon.
As I explained another attendant informed me councils dont charge for motorcycle parking and indeed in other areas of Leeds they even provide M/C designated areas.

He then did something Im stunned with... He cut me off just before I finsihed and informed me he'd phoned in to have my bike removed because I failed to display a tax disc!!! - I didnt say a word but for a moment I think he could tell I felt dislike towards his presence.

He is however correct as my tax disc resides in my top box, taped to the inner lid to avoid it being stollen. Easily displayed by lifting the lid which I never lock (if empty) I was able to show him there and then that the bike was indeed taxed and requested he cancel the tow.
He obliged, and once he'd finished his "breaker breaker" still annoyed by his attitude I persisted with my original complaint of how can he prove I hadnt paid for the parking and that the sticker hadnt been removed and placed in one of the adjacent car windows? I further this with a stubborn "Write what you want I'll appeal the same argument once you've handed me the thing".
He didnt respond. I, in a negative tone said "Whats the point, the ticket was been written before I even approached you I'll just STFU and wait for it"
He then said "Nope, its not even in the system yet... do you fancy going and buying a ticket from the machine?"

His ninja jedi skill worked, as I trotted off to pay for a ticket choosing teh £4 fee as opposed to the £35 charge I returned showed it to him, to which he was satisfied and so continued on his way.

Once back at my desk only then did I think... has he just done me over?
Was I indeed correct in my initial thought, am I allowed to park without charge?
Does it vary between councils?
Could he actually have a vehicle towed or was this further BS?
When will the snow melt away?
and What are tonights Euromillions numbers?

Cheers,
Matt

If its a bay with a meter you have to pay. if its a ticket then no. imho. but worth a call to council to check as it may vary by region.

Its a ticket machine placed approx every 5 bays, you print the ticket to stick to your window.
I could really do with a link to something which I can print out to produce if the event ever occurs again.

E Mail the relevant council and if the response is favourable, print the reply.

There'll be something on your councils website. Have a google, the one time i've looked it seems a little open to interpretation.

if they choose not to prosecute its because they believe it will be not worth their hassle, unless its says specifically that a vehicle type is exempt then you have to pay.

i think you got off light especially as he could have used your admittance that youd been led to believe you wouldnt be done against you.

same for the tax disk, mines also under my seat, but youd have been getting done for the offence of "failure to display" its up to you / me /us to secure it on the vehicle, its the failure to display thats the issue, not sure if he can actually get the vehicle towed on that basis though, or if they can only be towed if its not actually taxed, maybe im wrong, someone with more knowledge will be along shortly i expect

[Dave20046]

2 points, if it wasn't in the system ride off . Unless you were going to be staying there anyway in which case you done good.

2) he's a parking attendant what the ****s he going to do about tax? Did he expect you to stand there and wait for the tow truck to arrive smiling like a moron?

re. the actual question, I think it's only free if signposted (like in a lot of paid for car parks), try it when it's not and you've got to send a few letters to get it dropped "on this occasion" . I never take up street side metered spots as they're sparse and it's not fair on car drivers prepared to pay. I just go to a carpark or somewhere off road that isn't obstructing the pavement.

[Dave20046]

Originally Posted by FG1

E Mail the relevant council and if the response is favourable, print the reply.

Yep, worth doing. We did this at work, admittedly most of the time you show it to the streetside mongs they ignore you and proceed anyway but refer to it on an appeal and it's easily dropped.

[dyzio]

As far as on the street parking with "pay and display" is concerned, it's free up here as long as you park perpendicular to the kerb.

Got this info when I've phoned the council when getting the firs bike. Give yours a call.

[MisterTommyH]

I would think that generally it wouldn't be worth the hassle prosecuting if you claim you brought a ticket and it got nicked (would be difficult to prove you didn't). But in this case you'd admited that you hadn't brought one - just thought you didn't need one in case it gets nicked.

It may be policy not to prosecute, but I doubt you'd get an e-mail from them admitting that because they probably wouldn't want to throw away all the revenue from the bikes that do pay.

Having said that, if you do get a response share it here so everyone in your area benefits