Go to jail or pay up!

A VETERAN biker has vowed to go to prison rather than pay an "unfair" parking ticket.

Leslie Nicholls, of Johnson Close, Staunton, has been parking his Harley Davison motorcycle at the bike stands outside Bon Marche in Northgate Street, opposite The Oxebode, for the past 10 years without incident.

But this week he received a £70 ticket from a city centre traffic warden.

"It's ridiculous," said the 60- year-old, who is a dedicated biker and has never had a parking ticket before.

"I, and other bikers, have been parking our bikes there for many years and we have never had a problem with the authorities.

"I've even had police and traffic wardens chatting to me and admiring my Harley, until this week.

"I saw the traffic warden who gave me a ticket and when I questioned her, she said she had been told to tighten up and that I was the fourth motorcyclist she had given a ticket to that day.

"So why, in that case, don't they put up a sign saying 'no motorcycles'? This is just another way of them getting money and it is unfair.

"I am not paying the fine and I am appealing against it.

"I feel so strongly about this that I am prepared to go to jail rather than pay."

Heather Clarke. of Gloucester City Council, said: "There is a sign further down towards London Road which makes it clear this is a pedestrianised zone and vehicles are not supposed to enter except for access and unloading.

"In that case this motorcyclist will therefore already have broken the law.

"The racks are specifically for pedal cycles and motorcyclists should only park in authorised motorcycle areas or car parks."


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