A MAN hit with a hefty fine and the threat of court action after a six-month parking battle has had his ticket cancelled.

In March, Jonathan Everett took his late dad to the Bricklayers pub, in Bergholt Road, Colchester, for a pint to mark his birthday.

But a month later, he was sent a fine from a private company which had taken over the running of the car park, after the pub owners discovered commuters were abusing its proximity to North Station.

Customers are now asked to input their registration number into an iPad once in the pub.

He said despite a number of conversations with staff at the pub, who assured him the issue would be dealt with, nothing was ever done.

As a result of the delays, Mr Everett had been ordered to pay a £236 fine by car park owners CPP.

But at the 11th hour, the fine was cancelled.

His wife Kelly said: “We honestly are over the moon.

"It was a last-ditch attempt really and then we get an email back saying the notice had been cancelled - nothing else and it was out of nowhere. We are so relieved.”

Mrs Everett thanked the Gazette for highlighting the family’s plight but believes parking appeal specialist Tony Taylor also played a part.

Mr Taylor’s Facebook page, Fight Your Private Parking Invoice, has helped a number of members successfully challenge their fines.

The mum-of-two added: “We’re so thankful to the Gazette for covering our story.

“It shows you don’t have to be scared by the companies who send out the letter threatening you with this and that.

“Since the story was run, we’ve been contacted by a few people who were sort of in the same boat so it’s good that more people are talking.”

The family has joined Myland community councillor David Clouston who also had his fine rescinded, seemingly out of the blue.

In the run up to the decision, Mr Clouston carried out his own investigatory work into whether the parking regulations are made clear enough both in the car park and in the pub.

Mrs Everett added: “It has been a really stressful time having to fight this has been a nightmare.

“Hopefully this is the end of it now but I hope it shows people you don’t have to bow to pressure from these companies.”

CPP was contacted for comment.

A spokeswoman for the Bricklayers Arms previously said: “Due to the close proximately of the station, we instructed CPP to ensure free car parking is available for all Bricklayers customers.

“We have no jurisdiction in the operational running of CPP.”