A CHESHAM bank manager is fighting for "justice" after being threatened with bailiff action for refusing to pay an "unfair" parking fine.
Clive Simmonds, of Ayleward Gardens, is indignant that he could have property seized for disputing a £90 fine received for displaying a blank parking ticket on his dashboard.
He said the ticket was legitimately paid for in good faith, and claims parking chiefs are "wasting taxpayers' money" by pursuing the penalty fine.
Mr Simmonds uses the £2 all day parking in Aylesbury Canalside every day for work.
On February 2 he said he failed to notice at a glance that he had been issued with a blank ticket.
Nearly four months on from the incident, Mr Simmonds has been threatened with the repossession of goods after lodging a written complaint to the council and visiting its offices in person both of which it has failed to acknowledge.
The car parking authority of Aylesbury Vale District Council, said it is the responsibility of the car owner to ensure a valid parking ticket is displayed at all times.
The council said Mr Simmonds had plenty of opportunities to go through the formal appeal process and it has always followed procedure.
Mr Simmonds told the Free Press it was an "outrage".
He said: "I think it's disgusting that I am being made to prove my innocence again and again.
"They keep saying why didn't I do this or that and their attitude has been very unhelpful.
"Why can't they use their discretion and give somebody the benefit of the doubt who has worked for NatWest Bank for 32 years, instead of wasting taxpayers' money?"
Mr Simmonds met Chesham and Amersham MP Cheryl Gillan to voice his anger over the matter.
An aide of the MP said Mrs Gillan is very concerned and has written to the chief executive of the council to demand an explanation.
Business woman Melanie Howard Spink, of Kirri Fashions, in Chesham High Street, said: "Clive is a responsible, law-abiding citizen.
"He is a respectable businessman and I can't imagine him dodging ticket payment for a moment, that would be totally out of character for him."
Mr Simmonds said he continues to park daily in Aylesbury Canalside car park and is seeking legal advice from a solicitor.
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