Parking Enforcement During Matchdays

[kasa_4_u2]

I have a residents permit for parking in my street. I was parked legally within the residents bays on my road with my permit clearly on display.

 

My road is on the outskirts of a football ground and occasionally the police / council place yellow cones on the street when there is a match and we park elsewhere.

 

Today when i left my house there were no cones and i left at 7am.

When i returned home my car was gone!.

 

i called the police and they stated they had towed my car because it was causing an obstruction!.

 

They now say i have to pay for the towing and release of my own car.

Can they do this?

 

My car wasnt causing an obstruction.

It was parked where i always park, clearly in my bay.

 

How can they tow it stating its an obstruction when its in my own bay for which i pay a permit.

 

The cones were not there when i left my house. and i did not know there was a matchday.

 

I cannot believe that they can make me pay for it when its not an obstruction.

 

Can someone please help me figure out first whether they can legalllly tow my car when its not in an obstructing position

and when i left my house there were no cones in the road to state this day would be a restricted parking day.

[Jamberson]

I think the term obstruction will apply to any car parked on the road, whether causing a problem or not. Legally it means something different to the everyday use of the word.

 

What happened seems totally unfair. Have you asked the police if this is their usual policy, and how motorists should guard against it?

[kasa_4_u2]

I called them and they said ill have to speak to police customer services Who arent open until monday. Ive also called the garage who said i cant collect the car until monday... This means im left without a car today, and dont have a car to get to the garage. I think ill call the police customer services on monday and ask about their policy as you've suggested. I just thought if i have a permit to park for a whole year somewhere, and there was no signs saying there was football when i left my house, i shouldnt have to pay for the recovery. If they had to move it because of football and i have to collect it elsewhere, thats reasonable. But why should i have to pay for it? I dont watch or play football. i paid for a years permit. and hte cones wernt there when i left my house. surely this isnt fair.

 

ill call them on monday and Ill let you know how i get on.... thanks for taking the time...