Click here to read how 83-year-old Anne Pride had her parking ticket cancelled, the story behind this personal view.

They say it wasn't about spelling – a point disputed by the recipient of the parking ticket.

They then outline, in some detail, what many would say are equally petty reasons for the fine.

This poor lady used a pen instead of the required method of scratching (what a dastardly crime!).

She was possibly muddled between The Steyne and Steyne Gardens (string her up!).

Two facts stand out.

1. The parking permit issued by the hotel was official and paid for, even if the method of filling it didn't quite comply with the rules.

2. If the council was so sure of its ground, why did it cancel the fine?

The council argues that the ticket was properly issued and the appeals procedure exists to filter out the genuine cases, as it has for Mrs Pride. Good job.

But this misses the point.

Once the ticket has been issued, the public relations damage has been done.

The Herald stands by its headline "How petty can you get?" and applauds the council for its actions in cancelling the fine.

Now it's time for the parking regime to filter common sense down to grass roots level.

That ticket should never have been issued in the first place.


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