IN the wake of concern from residents, pressure from councillors and the reporting by Thurrock Nub News, Thurrock Council has changed its decision to penalise a borough woman over the faded parking permit tickets in her vehicles.

Thurrock Nub News reported the story on Saturday (19 September) of Stanford-le-Hope resident Moira Wilcox who received two £50 fixed penalty notices because the date stamp on her parking permits had faded.

The date-stamped permits are actually produced by the council - which has now not only agreed to wipe out Ms Wilcox's tickets, but it is to change the method by which it date-stamps the permits.

A council enforcement officer initially issued the parking fines for two vehicles parked on Butts Road in Stanford-le-Hope.

Ms Wilcox challenged the decision but was told by a council officer that he had looked into the matter and declared it was her fault and the tickets were therefore invalid and the fines stood.

Over the weekend Thurrock Nub News took up her case with the council and contacted local councillors asking them to back her cause.

The result was an about-face by the council today which issued a "sincere apology for any distress or anxiety" caused to her and said the tickets were revoked.

The council has not, however, responded to Thurrock Nub News!

In a message to Ms Wilcox the council said it can "confirm a further review of the Penalty Charge Notices (PCN's) has now been completed by the Enforcement Operations Manager and in accordance with the Council policy to be fair and reasonable both penalty charge notices have now been cancelled."

The statement continued: "A formal written notification of this will be sent out to you in due course advising the same and that no further action need be taken by yourself.

"In addition, Thurrock Council has ceased using the date stamp method for parking permits and introduced a more wear-resistant ink solution from September 2020.

"The Parking Enforcement Team has now reviewed their process and additional measures are in place to ensure that fines are not issued to residents who may be displaying a valid yet faded permit that has not been upgraded to the new and improved ink solution.

"Please accept my sincere apology for any distress or anxiety this matter may have caused you and I hope you find the above to be a fitting resolve."

Stanford West ward councillors Shane Hebb and Terry Piccolo both took up Ms Wilcox's case in the wake of our report, as did Homesteads councillor Cllr Gary Byrne who said: "This is the right decision. Clearly the council was at fault, not this resident and it was not right they tried to penalise her and other residents who have suffered the same fate. Thankfully common sense has prevailed and well done to Thurrock Nub News for highlighting this story and taking up our local community's cause."

In our report on Saturday, we also highlighted the council's blundering over double yellow lines incorrectly painted on streets in Stanford-le-Hope a couple of weeks ago.

The lines have since been painted over and we asked 'at what cost to local council taxpayers?'

The council has not responded, but Cllr Piccolo also took up the question and today (Monday, 21 September) reported to us: "I have now had confirmation that all costs involved with the corrective works were at the contractor's own expense and didn't cost the council anything."