‘Absolutely disgraceful’ – I was slapped with a fine after car crashed into MY shop… even traffic warden took my side
AN ART gallery owner has been left fuming when he was handed a parking fine after a car crashed into his shop.
Calvin Smith saw thousands of pounds of damage caused when the silver Toyota smashed through the building’s display window, only to be hit with more charges.
Mr Smith, who owns the Westover Gallery in Ringwood, Hampshire, was devastated when a driver reversed into his high street site.
The crash caused thousands of pounds worth of damage and will force the shop to close for months while it is repaired.
But insult was added to injury when a traffic warden allegedly handed him a £35 parking fine while, he claims, his car was trapped in the road by the emergency cordon.
He told the Daily Echo: “I couldn’t do anything about it because the road was then blocked, so I couldn’t turn around and go anywhere.
“We had the traffic warden telling [the council] to revoke the fine because it should never have happened and [they] just basically said no.
“It’s not about the money, it’s the fact that it was my gallery that was smashed and now this, it is absolutely disgraceful.”
Mr Smith insisted that he was parked as close as possible to the shop as the road was blocked off by emergency vehicles.
However, a letter he received from the council shortly after reportedly rejected his defence.
The letter, apparently seen by the Echo, is said to have read: “You have stated that a major incident took place in High Street as a vehicle had driven through your shopfront window and you spoke with the [traffic warden] who apologised for issuing this PCN and advised you to challenge and have the PCN revoked.
“Whilst we appreciate the incident which took place on the day of the contravention, this does not justify cancellation of this PCN.
“We would expect the driver to ensure their vehicle is parked in compliance with parking regulations.”
A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said: “No PCNs were issued in the area that was closed off but, in this case, it is understood that the vehicle was parked outside of that area, in a loading bay.
“Any individual who believes they have been incorrectly charged with a penalty charge notice should follow the instructions on the reverse of the notice to make an appeal.
“Please note that an appeal must be lodged within 14 days of the notice being issued.”