A FORMER soldier has accused parking wardens of using Remembrance Sunday as a cash cow after he was given a parking ticket at 11.11am, the time of the two-minute silence to pay tribute to the fallen.

Alex McKinney, a bomb disposal expert for 23 years, was paying his respects at Colchester’s war memorial when his car was ticketed in St Nicholas Street.

Mr McKinney, 43, of Harwich Road, Colchester, said: “I couldn’t believe it when I got back.

“It was probably just the traffic warden’s bad luck with the time on it, but I think it shows they’re using events like Remembrance Sunday as a cash cow, which isn’t right.

“Like a lot of people that day, I was paying my respects and you have to park somewhere, don’t you?

“There shouldn’t be restrictions for a day like that given the number of people who want to go.”

Gazette:

Mr McKinney was in 621 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, based at Colchester Garrison, for 23 years and served in Northern Ireland and Germany during his time the Armed Forces.

He is refusing to pay the £70 fine, which could end up landing him with a court summons.

He said: “It’s out of principle really.

“I just don’t think it’s right.”

A North Essex Parking Partnership spokesman said: “To help ensure safe traffic flow and reduce congestion, all restrictions apply every day of the year, unless the roadside signs state otherwise.

“We were not approached by anyone to request parking restrictions were lifted for Remembrance Day.

“Motorists could have used the nearby Priory Street car park which is just 50p to park all day on Sundays.”