A CHARITY worker who struggles to walk has blasted the council over the lack of disabled parking in Barking town centre after she was slapped with a parking ticket. Susan Cross, who volunteers at the PDSA shop in Station Parade, has suffered from severe h

A CHARITY worker who struggles to walk has blasted the council over the lack of disabled parking in Barking town centre after she was slapped with a parking ticket.

Susan Cross, who volunteers at the PDSA shop in Station Parade, has suffered from severe hip problems since she was born and can only walk short distances.

On August 18 Susan asked her partner to pick her up from work early because she was feeling unwell.

As vehicles are unable to stop in Station Parade he decided to park in nearby Cambridge Road, not realising parking is banned in this street.

When the couple returned to the car, which displays a disabled badge, a few minutes later, they noticed a parking ticket stuck to the windscreen.

Susan, who recently underwent a double hip operation, has since written to the council to explain her situation.

The authority wrote back saying a registered disabled isn't exempt from the 'no parking' rule in Cambridge Road which has double yellow lines, and that she would have to stump up the �120 fine (�60 if paid within 14 days) or face prosecution.

The 32-year old told the POST: "Because of my hip problems I can't walk far and can't take public transport on my own, so it is essential my partner picks me up. But there are so few places for him to park around Station Parade.

She added: "I was really surprised the council didn't think his reasons for leaving the car for five minutes in Cambridge Road were good enough, especially as it wasn't blocking anything or parked dangerously."

Susan, of Stamford Road, Barking, says the authority should introduce more parking spaces in the town centre, particularly for the disabled.

She added: "The council needs to support disabled people who want to go out and work, not make it more difficult for them.

"My job is very important to me - it's fun, gets me out of the house and allows me to put something back into the community. I don't want to lose it."

Susan says she will continue to appeal against the parking ticket.

"I will take it as far as I have to."

A council spokesman said: "Appeals against parking charge notices are only accepted in extreme circumstances or if they have been issued by mistake.

"There are six disabled parking bays immediately opposite Barking Station, in Salisbury Road, and further bays in London Road and Linton Road car parks.

"Blue badge holders are also entitled to park on yellow lines for three hours provided no loading restrictions are in place.

They can park in residents' bays for four hours provided the clock disc is displayed showing time of arrival.

"Full rules on blue badge entitlements can be found on the council website.