On the 20th August 2009, businesses from the Fir Vale and Page Hall Traders association came together to express their frustration with Parking Services, who have been handing out numerous tickets in recent months.
The meeting at the Pakistan Advice and Community Association was called by Councillor Ibrar Hussain, who had received complaints from business owners whose delivery vehicles had been ticketed repeatedly.
Local business owner Wahid Nazir told the Messenger that it was impossible for all deliveries to be made in the limited loading times allowed by Parking Services, it was also the inconsistent approach that made it difficult:
“Some wardens would be alright and as long as we were unloading there would be no ticket. Then the next day a different warden would give a ticket, and they come round everyday, morning and evening.”
The focus on parking in Fir Vale has come through the priorities set by the Neighbourhood Action Group, chaired by the police, which means Parking Services spend more time than usual in Fir Vale.
Following the meeting, a card will now be issued to traders to display in vehicles so they can receive deliveries from 9.30am to 4pm. Councillor Hussain said,
“We have asked Parking Services to be sensible about it and, working with the police and local traders, we now have a solution. We will be reviewing it at the PACT meeting on 1st October 2009, 7pm at the Pakistan Advice Centre.”