Dear Parking Person,
I am writing to appeal against the above parking ticket that I feel I was unjustly issued on the 16th day of December, 2008 at roughly 20:18 on Byrom Street.
I have given the following appeal much consideration; was the penalty fair and just? Did I contravene the rules and regulations that keep our highways clear and accessible? In my humble opinion, I did not. Please be aware this is not a flippant appeal, it is one that I have pondered deeply.
Firstly, let me set the scene for you in the moments prior to my misguided choice of parking space. The night was dark, damp, and cold. A heavy mist of fine precipitation filled the gloomy air, and I was lost upon my journey to the newly developed area of Spinningfields. As a virgin resident of the fine Corporation and City of Manchester, conditions like this are challenging even to a comprehensive navigator of motor vehicles such as my self. Not only was frustration setting in, but the cold sense of apprehension crept slowly up my spine, for I was already late for an appointment with a fair maiden that very evening.
No sooner was I losing grip upon the skills of chivalry which I pride myself, did I stumble across Spinningfield's like an urban oasis of lights and eateries. Joy swept through me for not only had I arrived at the very destination i had given up all hope of finding, but on the very street I had turned into were parked cars not dis-similar to my own.
Hastily, for I was now 11 minutes late, I halted my vehicle by the side of the road, disembarked, and glanced around in the grimy weather that enveloped me. On my side of the road, no sign could be seen, so I briskly checked the other side of the road. HARK! the sign brought good news, parking here was fair.
With a jaunty dash I made my way past the laughter of ice skaters to Gormet Burger Kitchen, which I recommend to you my good friend, and enjoyed a fine meal with fine company, safe in the knowledge my car was parked appropriately, as it always should be.
Alas, this happy story does not end here, instead, it lends its ending to sadness. Imagine my horror upon returning to find every esteemed automobile owners worst enemy, the dreaded black and yellow pouch. Afixed like a polyurethane albatross around my beloved vehicles neck.
Upon further investigation (not after a little embarrassment I hasten to add) I noticed a small sign indicating the bay I was parked in was not for parking, it was for loading only. I had been a bad man. Normally I would accept this elementary error, pay my fine like an honest gentleman and endeavour to be more thorough in my parking choices, no matter what the weather conditions or how tardy my time keeping.
In retrospect however, I would like to draw your attention to the attached photograph, taken moments after the discovery of my penalty notice, you can clearly see the sign is facing a full 180 degrees AWAY from the road its self. Highly unfair to the diligent parkee, especially in hindsight of the weather conditions that night.
It is with this I appeal to you to consider revoking this enforcement charge. I am sure if the warden himself had noticed the lack of clearly displayed parking information he too would have reconsidered spending 7 minutes in such terrible conditions to ensure I was indeed parking and not loading, as I'm sure he did that terrible night.
I look forward to your return correspondence and heartfelt judgment over this pressing matter.
