A PAINTER and decorator who helped to refurbish a flood-hit riverside restaurant has hit out at the city’s traffic wardens who slapped him with a fine as he worked.
Chris McCormick, of Fernhill Heath, was finishing repairs at The Quay Restaurant last week, which has been shut since New Year’s Day.
But as the self-employed tradesman thought he was helping with the city’s recovery from the devastating February floods, he found himself issued with a £35 ticket, despite having to park outside the building because he was unloading things from his van.
Speaking to the Observer, Mr McCormick said it was not the first time he has had these problems when trying to help the community.
“I have worked there before,” he said. “I’ve done it three years in a row because it’s been flooded and we’ve always had this hassle with the traffic wardens and we can’t understand why.
“It’s not as if I just park there, leave my van and go and work somewhere else. I need it there to get my tools and materials.
“We’re down there early in the morning, working long hours to try and get it open and you’re just looking out the door every five minutes to see if there’s a traffic warden.
“Even the manager of The Quay went out and tried to explain can you not just leave the lads alone for a few hours just until we get the premises opened after what happened.”
The 50-year-old managed to help get the restaurant back open on Thursday night but said he had no response when he contacted the city council.
“I can’t figure it out,” he added. “I went out and watched them, there were two of them walking past other vans down the road but they didn’t even give them a second glance, when I had got a ticket just a few hours ago.
“It’s not that I wanted the other lads to get a ticket but I felt I was singled out.”
Mr McCormick said he now planned to appeal against the fine.
A Worcester City Council spokesman said: “The Quay Restaurant where he was working is surrounded by double yellow lines and there’s quite a simple solution.
“Anyone working as a tradesman can apply for a parking dispensation ticket, which is free for one day and you just put it in your windscreen, that’s something he should be aware of.
“Other council vehicles parked down there are exempt from the traffic regulations if they are providing trade work.”
