A DISABLED driver has refused to shell out for parking fine he received in an Ipswich street.

A DISABLED driver has refused to shell out for parking fine he received in an Ipswich street.

St Nicholas Street might be named after the jolly gift-giver, but the only things being handed out this year are £35 fines.

Paul Miller, of Emmanuel Road, Ipswich, tore up the ticket in front of the traffic warden who stuck it on his car last week.

The council changed rules for blue badge holders parking in St Nicholas Street at the end of October, but Mr Miller believes not enough warning was given.

Mr Miller, who has heart disease and will be in hospital this weekend for a bypass, said:

“I've been parking along St Nicholas Street for the last few years and up till now have had no trouble whatsoever.

“When I got back to my car there was a parking attendant slapping a ticket on my windscreen. I just tore it up in front of him!

“I've told the council I won't be paying the fine but they said it would be upheld. I'll be going to court if necessary.

“There are blue badge holders parked along that street every day, so I can't be the only person who has been affected.”

The new parking regulations have been introduced in St Nicholas Street and St Peter's Street. Loading only restrictions are now in place between 8am to 6pm each day.

An Ipswich Borough Council spokeswoman said: “The loading only bays are marked by new white road markings with accompanying signs.

“No vehicles are permitted in these bays unless loading or unloading. This restriction also applies to blue badge holders.

“These changes to parking restrictions were advertised in advance of implementation.”

Are you a blue badge holder who has been fined for parking in St Nicholas Street? Was there enough warning for drivers and will you be paying up? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk