Parking fine issued to bus parked at ... bus stop

A council has backed the decision of its traffic warden to issue a parking ticket to a bus parked at a bus stop.

Arriva said its bus broke down on Tenterden High Street in Kent due to a mechanical fault.

"For safety reasons, the vehicle could not be moved from the bus stop until assistance arrived," a spokesperson for the company added.

Ashford Borough Council said the penalty charge notice was "correctly issued" because the bus was left unattended.

"Under parking regulations, drivers must remain with their vehicle at all times when stopping in a restricted area such as a bus stop," said a spokesperson for the local authority.

"Leaving a vehicle unattended is a clear breach of these rules."

The spokesperson added they would welcome a formal appeal if the operator felt there were "valid reasons" for the situation.

Arriva said it had recovered the bus at the "earliest opportunity" after its engineering team had assessed the situation.

"We appreciate that parking enforcement plays an important role in keeping roads clear and safe," said the company.

"We will be contacting the local council to explain the circumstances surrounding this incident."

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