OCCASIONALLY my wife and I go to Bishop Auckland.

We have always parked in Newgate Street without any problem.

Today, we received a parking fine for parking in a disabled bay.

What sort of council would have disabled parking and then put a misleading sign next to the bays that basically states in a confusing way that you can’t park in them between noon and 4pm?

My wife has cancer and it can take her a while to feel well enough to go out.

This sign means she must either struggle and get up early or wait until after 4pm to use the facilities of Newgate Street.

Is this Durham County Council’s way of keeping disabled people off the streets of Bishop Auckland in the peak shopping periods?

This is totally unacceptable.

Apparently, we are not the first disabled card holders to fall foul of this disgusting and mean act.

Name and address supplied.