A FURIOUS driver has hit out at the “depths of rottenness” Argyll and Bute Council has stooped to after he was hit with a £30 parking penalty in a free car park.

The Helensburgh driver was given a ticket after leaving his car in the “free section” of the car park at Helensburgh’s pier head.

The man, who has asked not to be named, said he was left in disbelief when the warden on duty at the time told him he was being penalised because his car wheels were outwith the bay markings.

The driver told the Advertiser: “You have to pay for the front section of the car park, but there is a sign stating clearly that beyond a certain point there is no charge and that’s where I parked.

“You don’t expect to have to pay a fine in a free car park.”

However, the council say he was guilty of contravention 86 - “parked beyond the bay markings”.

He added: “I was absolutely raging - here I was parked where I normally park because of the nice view.

“My sister was with me and we went for an ice cream. When we came back, my car, and a car parked alongside, had tickets on them.

“The warden was still in the car park and I asked why my car and the one next to me had parking tickets.

“He explained that you have to park within marked bays.

“I could see no signs indicating this rule.

“But the warden pointed out a sign, which you would not pass, about 100 metres away.

“There was another back-to-front sign, about 200 metres away, which was in tiny writing.”

The driver added: “If you wish to book cars for this reason you must have clear and obvious signs in full view – not hidden away.

“The sign at the entrance does state ‘free car park’ and everybody would presume the warden would only be booking motorists in the pay area.”

The driver said the incident had ruined his day out - and that of the elderly couple who had parked next to him.

“It’s the depths of rottenness for the council to do this and I wonder how many other people have been caught out.”

The council has told the driver that the “discounted” penalty of £30 is payable with 14 days, after which it doubles if it is still not paid.

After 28 days the driver is then given the chance to formally challenge the notice – a route that the Helensburgh driver says he intends to take.

He says he is now looking forward to “natural justice” when his appeal against the parking penalty goes to adjudication.

He said: “If the adjudication does not work in my favour I will feel strongly enough for Argyll and Bute Council to take me to court - I want my day in court to seek justice in this ridiculous situation.”

A spokeswoman for the council said: “The rules are signposted in the car park and clearly state there must be no parking outwith the marked bays.

“Parking vehicles within the designated bays helps to keep parking safe, accessible and fair.

“Our contact details are provided on the back of the PCN [penalty charge notice] for anyone who feels that they have grounds for appeal."