A DISABLED Gulf War veteran has vowed to fight a parking fine imposed after a warden “ignored” his blue badge.

Bill Scarff was givenaticket for parking in a loading bay in Colchester High Street and could face a £70 fine as a result.

He has appealed against the ticket, claiming when he parked there, there were signs saying parking restrictions had been suspended.

Mr Scarff, of Simons Lane, Colchester, photographed the signs after getting the ticket on Wednesday, August 12, to use as evidence.

He said: “They said the parking restrictions were suspended.

“I parked there and put my blue badge up.

“If they suspend the restrictions, how can they fine you for parking there?”

Mr Scarff, who has spinal problems and arthritis and walks with a stick The former Royal Signals soldier, also criticised the Essex County Council decision to move disabled bays to accommodate a new park and ride stop in the High Street.

He said: “There is onlyalimited number of disabled spaces in town and around the town.

“The new park and ride scheme has seen the disabled spaces in front of the former jobcentre turned into a bus stop and they haven’t been replaced.

“There are even fewer available spaces in the High Street.”

A spokesman for the North Essex Parking Partnership, which issued the parking ticket, agreed waiting and loading restrictions had not been in force on the day in question.

However, he said regardless of this, the bay where Mr Scarff parked was for goods vehicle loading only, with a sign posted, clearly saying disabled badges were not valid there.

An Essex County Council spokesman denied disabled drivers had lost out because of the park and ride scheme. He suggested instead of trying to park in the High Street, drivers should leave their cars at the park and ride centre, up by the A12, where there are 20 dedicated disabled parking spaces close to its terminal.

He added: “The journey from the park and ride site to the High Street takes 12 minutes, with full disabled access, and operates every ten to 15 minutes.

“The the High Street stop enables users to alight and board at the same location where they would have previously parked.”

‘ If they suspend the parking restrictions, how can they fine you for parking there?'