A MOTORIST who had a parking ticket overturned by a tribunal has urged other drivers to stand up for themselves if they think they have been wrongly fined.

A MOTORIST who had a parking ticket overturned by a tribunal has urged other drivers to stand up for themselves if they think they have been wrongly fined.

Anni Meehan was speaking after the National Parking Adjudication Service (NPAS) ruled she did not have to pay a fixed penalty notice issued by Ipswich Borough Council in April.

The authority claimed Miss Meehan did not display a permit while her car was parked outside her home in Suffolk Road.

However the 43-year-old challenged the fine because a permit was clearly visible on the dashboard of her vehicle.

The council rejected her claims and in June she completed a notice of appeal, which she sent to the NPAS - an independent tribunal where impartial lawyers consider appeals by motorists whose vehicles have been issued with penalty charge notices.

At a hearing, the result of which was confirmed last week, the body ruled Ipswich Borough Council's evidence was flawed and that Miss Meehan would not have to pay the £100 penalty.

She said: “It's a shame that it had to come to this but it is obvious there is more work for the council to do, and indeed the residents - including myself, to ensure the rules for parking permits are absolutely clear.

“I'm relieved and pleased that I've been vindicated, however this hearing clarified the council is not as clued up as it should be when it comes to the rules and the law.

“Members of the public need to be more vigilant if they believe a ticket has been issued erroneously. It is not a crime for them to stand up for themselves.”

A spokeswoman for the NPAS confirmed Miss Meehan's fine had been overturned by the tribunal.

A spokesman for Ipswich Borough Council said: “This is a period of learning for our parking service and we well do our best to ensure that our evidence is flawless in the future.”