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Man gets parking fine outside home after snow covers permit

Watford resident Ivan Kazakov was shocked to find he had been given a parking ticket outside his home despite having a valid permit. <i>(Image: Ivan Kazakov)</i>
Watford resident Ivan Kazakov was shocked to find he had been given a parking ticket outside his home despite having a valid permit. (Image: Ivan Kazakov)

A man has been slapped with a parking fine outside his home after melted snow covered his windscreen permit.

Ivan Kazakov, 47, left his car at Wyatt House in Sydney Road, Watford, only to find he had been ticketed despite having a valid pass.

After complaining to Parking Control Management (UK) Ltd, which runs the site, his appeal was rejected because “it is a matter of properly displaying this permit that permits one to park”.

Watford Observer: Top: melted snow reportedly covering where Mr Kazakov's permit is. Bottom: his car normally with the permit top right of the windscreen.
Watford Observer: Top: melted snow reportedly covering where Mr Kazakov's permit is. Bottom: his car normally with the permit top right of the windscreen.

Top: melted snow reportedly covering where Mr Kazakov's permit is. Bottom: his car normally with the permit top right of the windscreen. (Image: Ivan Kazakov)

Mr Kazakov told the Watford Observer: “It is not my fault it was snowing on this day.

“Parking Control Management (UK) Ltd should train their staff properly in how to find parking permits on the front windscreen – how to use a snow scraper or flashlight.

“I appealed this unfair PCN (Penalty Charge Notice) but the company rejected it, which caused me additional stress, depression and inconvenience.”

Pictures from when he was ticketed on January 10 show what appears to be melted snow and slush covering parts of the windscreen – including the top right corner where Mr Kazakov claims the permit was left.

Watford Observer: The parking fine beside Ivan Kazakov's permit.
Watford Observer: The parking fine beside Ivan Kazakov's permit.

The parking fine beside Ivan Kazakov's permit. (Image: Ivan Kazakov)

He continued: “When I saw the ticket I was shocked but also annoyed at this unfair penalty because I have a permit. I was even more shocked when the company refused to cancel the penalty.

“I feel disappointed and let down by the company and the terrible way in which they have dealt with this issue.”

But in a letter responding to his appeal, Parking Control Management (UK) Ltd wrote: “Possessing a permit does not exempt one from the terms and conditions for the use of the land. It is a matter of properly displaying this permit that permits one to park.

“If no valid permit is displayed at the time of the contravention, permission to park cannot be ascertained and pursuant of the signs, a charge is issued.

“As no valid permit was displayed within the windscreen, and no parking session was registered at the time the charge was issued, I must conclude the charge is correct.”

Mr Kazakov has vowed to continue fighting the fine, which is currently between £80 and £100, with the help of an independent organisation.

Parking Control Management (UK) Ltd has been contacted for comment.