Pub Landlady's fury over parking fines

A PUB landlady has reached the end of her tether after being fined for parking on her own property for a sixth time.

Val Bint, who lives and works at the Steamboat Tavern, New Cut West has been dodging tickets and moving her car in the early hours of the morning since restrictions were put in place.

But she isn't always quick enough and despite her best efforts to conform to the new regulations, Mrs Bint thinks she is being unfairly targeted by wardens who are threatening the future of her business.

She said: “I've gone along with it for a couple of years but none of the costumers can park here to have lunch. Even people wanting to stop and see the river are being prevented from doing so.

“The wardens are pretty reasonable and don't just go around slapping tickets on every car they see, but when customers know they are outside, the pub empties in seconds.

“They expect me to write to them to contest the ticket but I just don't have the time. Surely they should write to me and justify why they are fining me?”

Vehicles can only park legally in Felaw Street, on one side of the pub, but according to Mrs Bint those few precious spaces are usually taken up not by patrons but by people working in and around the marina.

She said: “Everyone from the maltings uses that road even though they have allocated spaces because they don't want their cars vandalised.

“I accept that I have parked illegally but I have never parked dangerously. I don't like having to park on the pavement directly outside the pub but it's a needs must situation.”

An Ipswich Borough Council spokesman said: “We are undertaking a review to consider everyone's needs. This is a matter for residents and businesses as well as pub customers and all their voices need to be heard.”