A RETIRED pub landlord has criticised a council after it upheld a parking fine against him but withdrew one for a member of staff who had parked in the same place.

Kenny Beagle dubbed Darlington Borough Council’s decision to cancel the ticket for its own worker as “amoral”

and said its draconian parking stance was ruining town centre trade.

The council insisted no preferential treatment was given and it had followed correct procedures.

It explained it was policy that anyone working on a public building, whether a private contractor or a council officer, would be granted permission to park in a prohibited area – and the ticket was cancelled accordingly.

But Mr Beagle, whose appeal against his £70 fine was refused – even though he had bought a ticket – said the policy was wrong.

The 61-year-old, from Darlington, parked his Mercedes Benz near the Hole in the Wall pub in Darlington’s Market Square, on February 13.

He bought a ticket but did not realise it was a restricted zone, which bans parking between 7am and 11pm.

Next day, he saw a council van parked in the same place receive a parking ticket.

Mr Beagle later used the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act to discover that the council driver had successfully appealed over the ticket after the building services contract manager confirmed the worker was working on a council building.

Mr Beagle, who used to run The Cricketers’ Hotel, in Darlington, and The Newbus Arms, in nearby Neasham, again appealed over his fine, without any luck.

He told The Northern Echo yesterday: “To get a highranking manager to overturn a parking ticket is amoral and hypocritical, especially with the council’s current draconian stance on parking for the general public.

“I’m sure there are hundreds of workers who would also like their fines rescinded when they have been working in the town centre.

“The council’s current harsh stance on parking is having a detrimental effect on the town centre.”

A council spokeswoman said no preferential treatment was given. “Like any other vehicle, council vehicles must follow the rules and drivers must purchase a ticket in our car parks and follow other guidance on the highway,” she said.

“The only exception to this is if permission has been given by the parking team.

“This is granted when vehicles, be they council or otherwise, need to park in areas where works are being carried out, for example.”