By Lynne Stewart

DUNDEE CITY Council has been accused of being mean-spirited after issuing a number of fines in Broughty Ferry for cars that were parked before the authority erected restricted parking signs.

Over the last few weeks motorists have been able to park on Brook Street for the entire day without fear of receiving a parking fine, as there have been no signs detailing parking time restraints.

The signs were removed during a £400,000 investment programme that resulted in new pavements, seating, lighting and parking bays.

Despite the completion of the work some weeks ago, the parking restriction signs were not replaced until yesterday at 10am.

In the intervening period, drivers took advantage of the lack of signs and parked their cars in Brook Street—often for the entire day.

Tom Boyd, a salesman with Gillies, was one of six motorists to fall foul of the council’s parking attendants.

He parked his car on Brook Street at 8.30am yesterday but by lunchtime signs had been erected and he had been issued with a £30 parking ticket.

Mr Boyd said he felt cheated as there were no signs when he parked his car before starting work, and therefore he had not parked illegally.

However, a spokesman for Dundee City Council claimed it was a breach of the parking laws.

Broughty Ferry councillor Charles Webster said the decision to issue the tickets was “insensitive.”

Mr Boyd said, “After the major revamp of pavements, etc, they never replaced the poles with the parking signs so people could come in and park all day.

“I was lucky enough to get a space at 8.30am and no sign had been put up at that time.

“Someone told me at 1.45pm that I had a ticket on my car.

“They have basically put these signs up and then gave everyone a ticket.

“When I parked my car I wasn’t parked illegally. I will not be paying the fine and I will appeal it.

“I think it’s very unfair. They are probably hoping people will just pay it and it’ll be a nice little money earner for the council.

“If there’s no sign, you are entitled to park there.”

A spokesman for Dundee City Council said yesterday, “Parking signs on Brook Street on both building and lighting columns were put in place this morning.

“Subsequently, six penalty charge notices were issued in Brook Street today.

“Gillies declined permission to put a parking notice on their building prior to today.

“Discussions are ongoing as to where this notice will be placed, which involves Broughty Ferry Community Council.”

Mr Webster said, “While these signs have to go up, a degree of sensitivity should have been used… Perhaps a day’s grace would have been sensible.

“I would suggest the parking authorities perhaps reconsider the matter and annul the parking tickets.”