Veterans given parking tickets while attending a Remembrance Sunday service on the Unicorn in Dundee have been told to “tear up their tickets”.
Around 30 people were given parking tickets while attending the Royal Naval Reserve’s service on Thursday.
Eyewitnesses claimed wardens working for private parking company Vehicle Control Services (VCS) waited until Sunday’s service began before swooping to issue £60 penalties.
Many of those who received tickets were elderly and had braved the foul weather to attend the service.
Now, Tim Allan, founding director of Unicorn Property Group, which owns the car park on South Victoria Dock Road, said all tickets issued on Sunday would be torn up.
“There is absolutely no way anybody wanted anyone who was at the Remembrance service to get a ticket. As an ex-serviceman, that would be ridiculous.
“Anybody who has received a parking ticket on South Victoria Dock Road from Vehicle Control Services should take no further action other than to tear the ticket up.”
Mr Allan said tickets were issued because nobody from the Unicorn had informed his company or VCS there was a Remembrance Sunday service planned.
He said: “I don’t want anyone to think that rapacious property developers were trying to issue penalties. VCS were just doing their job.”
Simon Johnson, a petty officer in the Royal Naval Reserve, said those attending the service were told all charges had been set aside for the day.
“I was one of the first people there and was told the parking restrictions have been waived,” he said.
Dundee’s Lord Provost Bob Duncan attended Sunday’s service and is pleased charges are being rescinded.
“It is a private car park but I was very disappointed,” he said. It was a miserable day and we didn’t want people, many of whom are elderly, walking far.”
Mr Duncan added that the council allows veterans to park in the local authority’s underground garage on Crichton Street free of charge when attending the Remembrance Day parade in the city centre.