Ways and Rights ....

I want to complain to Stafford Borough Council regarding their traffic warden local policies and refreshment training potential for existing staff.

I went into town expecting to take less than 30 minutes to complete my business
As I found a space by the zone, I parked and hastened away
Before my business was complete
I happened to meet
The Traffic Attendant on Duty
(Wednesday 29th September @ 4pm (approx)

From the window - my son saw - the attendant taking photographs
I ran over crying out, "Ah, I see you're enjoying my lovely car!"
Then pointed out, "I've only been here a few minutes"
"Alas" he pointed somewhere behind me, "you're not allowed to park here, as it's clearly indicated by the arrows"
I looked behind, then spotted the sign, I read what it said, "No return parking (some times stated and 30 minutes with an arrow underneath)" - I pointed to it saying, "What - that?" he repeated, "As it clearly states...." and I interrupted, "Well... we'll have to disagree there because (and I pointed again) that's not clear in the way you're suggesting at All".

He attempted to explain that my car was the wrong side of the arrow although it was half and half due to the poor parking in front of me. He accepted my apology and said he wouldn't give me a ticket provided I move the car immediately. So I thanked him profusely and drove around the block to return to where I'd had to leave my son. While I drove I considered the welcoming this impression would have on potential Stafford town tourists. I thought about the pleasant disposition of the traffic attendant and the costs of courtesy nowadays.

I'd no sooner returned, and parked in front of the shop I was having a business meeting within. There he was again, taking photos. I ran outside, "It's still within the 30 minutes!" I cried, "But you're now parked in the 'blue badges only' parking area".

I considered explaining APD to him - as it's still described as a disability (so it should be Some use to me).

Instead I asked, "Well WHERE can I park that won't result in you giving me a ticket?"
You know what he said to me?


"That's up to you to decide, but I must tell you if I find you parked here again inappropriately, it will result in an immediate fine".

I thanked him again profusely, "Thank you, you're so kind, thank you for being so helpful".

Now you might be thinking that's irony, and I'm not going to suggest that it's not. However, that's not what I wanted or intended it to be.