Exeter foodbank user hit with parking ticket

An Exeter driver has been slapped with a parking ticket while they went to collect food from a foodbank. Volunteers have said they were saddened by this and have stepped forward to offer a kind gesture.

Exeter Foodbank says it was running its session on Cowick Street on Friday, November 22, when a Blue Badge holder parked up. While the person was using the foodbank, they were issued with a parking ticket.

Volunteers say they witnessed this on the CCTV and were upset that it had happened to a Blue Badge holder. In response, they have offered to pay for the ticket and are appealing to find the person via social media.

In a Facebook post yesterday (November 25), Exeter Foodbank said: "On Friday, November 22 at our session at Cowick Street, we had a Blue Badge holder who pulled up on the pavement so they could collect their food. They were given a parking ticket.

"Our volunteers were saddened that a Blue Badge holder was given a parking ticket. One of them has offered to pay this for the person concerned.

"If this was you, and you can present us with the ticket, we will get this paid for you. We have the registration on the CCTV so we can confirm the car/owner."

Blue Badges are issued to people with a disability and allow them to park for free in certain places. Devon County Council says holders can park for as long as needed in on-street public parking spaces and for up to three hours on yellow lines unless there is a ban on loading or unloading.

It is unclear where on Cowick Street the person had parked. A sign near the foodbank says loading is not permitted. DevonLive has contacted Exeter Foodbank for more information.