WHOA..WHOA..HANG on! It is easy to have a go at the council and parking officers over the RNLI member getting a parking fine, but know the law and regulations first.

Don’t blame the parking officer as I believe the vehicle was a private vehicle and therefore not an exempt one. Secondly, the officer - when seeing the vehicle parked illegally (i.e. not in an authorised place) - correctly started issuing a ticket.

Thirdly, the law states the officer cannot stop issuing the ticket if started and must complete and issue regardless of circumstances otherwise he is committing a corruption offence and his job at stake. A verbal appeal at the time is normally responded to by advising that the driver/owner of the vehicle has to appeal directly to the organisation as clearly stated on the ticket.

It is not the parking officer’s decision to cancel/waiver or even comment on the circumstances, that is parking law.

It must be appealed against, the ticket actually states that it has been issued by the officer as “believing an offence has been committed”.

Read more >> RNLI volunteer slapped with parking fine on seafront while saving nan's life

If you as the driver does not agree then that is why the appeal system is in place and this also removes the possibility of corruption. Parking officers do not receive bonuses for issuing tickets so there is no enticement to do so.

The appeal system is fair and also has an independent back-up if need be.

It is also important to note that no councillors or senior council officers are allowed by law to make any decisions or comments.

If this case is not cancelled by the council, the council is very open and will advise the driver it can be taken to the independent adjudication service for a final decision.

If unsuccessful at appeal, then I agree to shout in the press as any unjustified case should be.

ROBIN EVANS

Hullbridge

'I'd be happy to contribute towards paying fine' 

... I am happy to contribute to paying the parking fine that the RNLI volunteer was given while on duty recently.

Unless the ticketing event was incorrectly reported, surely an excellent example of a “jobsworth”.

PAUL MIDDLEDITCH

Westcliff