A CITY centre businessman was left frustrated after emergency contractors were prevented from carrying out essential repairs by CCTV traffic wardens.
Callum Reckless, of digital specialist firm Reckless New Media, was angered as Cheshire West and Chester Council staff told ScottishPower contractors they could not park on double yellow lines while performing underground repairs to restore power to the business.
The result meant the Bridge Street Row company was without power, having already sent staff home.
Mr Reckless said: “You would have thought common sense would prevail.
“I found this frustrating because there was a chance the works would have had to be done another day, meaning the office would still be without power and potentially cost me thousands of pounds lost revenue.
“The man from ScottishPower parked up and noticed the CCTV van. He said he had to carry out some emergency repairs but the CCTV guy said he had a £25 fine just for parking where he was and could face a larger fine if he didn’t move.
“An hour later the van moved and the work could then be carried out.”
ScottishPower spokeswoman Jane Holmes said: “A contractor was called out at 11.30am and thought it could be an electrical fault and the excavation team was needed.
“When they arrived, they got a parking fine for being on double yellow lines. It appeared there was only one customer affected.”
A Cheshire West and Chester Council spokesman said: “There are guidelines in place for utility companies to notify us if they need to carry out emergency work in the city centre.
“If parking is informed this enables allowances to be made for the vehicles involved.”
