A DISABLED motorist is being forced to pay a parking fine despite a recommendation to drop the charges.

Blue Badge holder Bernie Wooder, 72, from Borehamwood, was fined in March for parking dangerously, near his office in North End Road, Golders Green and for not displaying a current tax disc.

However, Mr Wooder, who has a colostomy bag, said he ended up parking slightly over the double driveway because he was desperate to get into his office to use the facilities.

He said: “I decided I was going to fight the fine. I thought it was ridiculous — there was nothing dangerous about where I had parked.

“I think it’s a shameful process of money-making — it’s not law. It seems to me to be incredibly mean and the council has shown no compassion. I think the council should be shamed.”

Mr Wooder also claimed he had a valid tax disc at the time and appealed against the fine.

His case was heard by a Parking and Traffic Appeals Service adjudicator last week, who recommended the charges be cancelled.

In his ruling, Anthony Chan noted that a contravention had occurred, but said there had been “extenuating circumstances” and recommended the PCN be cancelled.

However, Barnet Council rejected the recommendation and wrote back: “The council has reviewed the case and considered the adjudicator’s recommendations. The vehicle had been parked with the rear adjacent to a dropped footway and caused an obstruction.

“It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure their vehicle is correctly parked at all times.

“The council has considered the appellant’s circumstances and is therefore prepared to accept payment at the discounted amount of £50 within 28 days of the adjudicator’s decision.”

In a statement, the council told the Times Series this had been the second time Mr Wooder had been fined for the same offence.

It said: “Mr Wooder had previously had a similar contravention, which had been cancelled on compassionate grounds, and had been advised at that time that any further cases would be enforced. “The civil enforcement team responded to a request from a resident for action to be taken because Mr Wooder’s vehicle had been blocking access to their property.

“Taking all the circumstances into account, the council felt it reasonable to offer a discounted fine as settlement rather than cancellation of the notice.”