'I spent £240 to get justice'

Rocky Fernandez is not surprised by the high number of parking tickets overturned on appeal.

The management consultant spent more than a year and £240 of his own money fighting an £80 parking fine - despite having photographic proof that there were 13 minutes remaining on the meter when the ticket was issued.

Mr Fernandez, 38, told the Standard: "Perhaps traffic wardens would be more careful if it wasn't public money they were spending on these appeals."

Mr Fernandez had parked his car in the West End before meeting friends in November 2000 when a warden issued the ticket.

When challenged, the warden first claimed the meter was jammed, despite the photos showing the minutes ticking down. He then accused Mr Fernandez of getting his son to put money in the meter. (Mr Fernandez does not have a son.)

Mr Fernandez immediately contacted Westminster council, who advised him to take his grievance to an independent tribunal. It took him 18 months to get the ticket cancelled.

Mr Fernandez said one thing that should be urgently addressed is the policy on the parking-fine discount. Fines in Westminster are £80 - unless you pay them within 14 days, in which case they are reduced to £40.

"In order to appeal you have to wait until the council gets the notice of owner," he said. "This can take 28 days, so the fine automatically goes up to £80." Despite being more than £200 out of pocket, he said he does not regret taking the action: "It's because people don't complain that these organisations continue to get away with it," he said.

"It's no wonder people pay the fines - if only because they double after 14 days. But if people take a stand they'll get a result.

"If I've parked in a disabled bay or in front of a fire hazard, then give me a ticket, but for one or two minutes, it's just criminal."