BRITS have been left outraged after claiming a council “deliberately” sent wardens down to a charity football match to hand out parking tickets.
The game, which took place at Bootle Football Club near Liverpool on Sunday, had been organised to support Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice in West Derby, which is currently at risk of closure.
The match was played between teams made up of local comedians, content creators, actors, musicians and fighters.
Organisers hoped it would fundraise at least £1,000 for the charity, which needs to raise over £5m to keep a hospice running in Liverpool.
With the ground’s car park full though, supporters had no option but to park on double yellow lines and returned to their vehicles to find them ticketed.
Following claims that the match had been targeted by Sefton Council, the local authority has responded with their own claims that the wardens were subject to abuse by motorists.
One supporter, Ben Harris, shared a snap of his own ticket, as well as a clip of a traffic warden seemingly in action.
The crumpled ticket is bright red and bears the standard statement: “Penalty charge notice. Do not ignore.”
Ben took to social media on Sunday to share his disgust, with the caption: “Sefton Council sending parking inspectors down to a Zoe’s Place charity footy game on a Sunday.”
His post has since received over 3,500 likes and over 110 comments, with some locals believing the council deliberately sent wardens to the area.
One wrote: “It’s not the first time they’ve sent wardens down there in charity events. They’ve turned up on the Bootle Bucks inclusion football tournaments for disabled kids.”
Ben replied: “Disgusting – if there’s not enough space in the car park for a charity event they should allow parking on the double yellows.
“The club would have to sort it with the council though [it] felt like they knew the exact details around the game today, came there just before half time.”
A second agreed: “Used to have the same for every game we had there on a Saturday.
“Never there through the week but turn up when big events on and the industrial units not in use. Disgusting.”
Another commented: “Hope Sefton Council will donate the parking fines to Zoe’s Place, but seriously doubt it.”
A fourth said: “Not their fault mate just doing their job- but what a world we live in. Charity game, for f**k’s sake.”
Another added: “Illegal parking is illegal. Dangerous for pedestrians and other road issues. Never okay to park mounted on a kerb. Deserve the tickets.”
Sefton Council’s own social media profile replied to the post, biting back with the comment: “Morning Ben. We send our officers down here regularly due to repeated concerns by locals.
“This is not a one off nor was it targeted. The abuse and spitting at our officers, however, is targeted.”
The council then issued an official statement in response yesterday, saying: “As all motorists will be aware parking or waiting on a double yellow line is not allowed and they can incur a penalty charge notice if they are found to do so.
“This is a nationally recognised restriction and is part of the Highway Code.
“It is not the fault of enforcement officers if the Highway Code is ignored and they should not be subject to disgraceful verbal abuse or be spat at in the course of carrying out their legal duties.
“Double yellow lines are clearly in place around the Vesty Road area of Bootle as local businesses, which can operate seven days a week, require and are entitled to unobstructed access to their premises.
“Due to repeated complaints and concerns raised by local businesses over the years we routinely and regularly visit the area as part of a recurring patrol to ensure the Highway Code is being adhered to on weekends.
“This included visits to the Vesty Road area on both Saturday October 26 and Sunday October 27.
“Furthermore we have been in dialogue with the operators of the football stadium about the issue of attendees parking incorrectly and causing significant disruption to neighbouring businesses.
“They are fully aware that officers routinely visit this area to manage the issue.”
