A NEW mum has been hit with a £100 fine after stopping in a friend’s parking space, with permission, to drop her daughter off at home.

Claire Burton, 29, received the penalty for leaving her car in a residents’ only bay on a private development on Orchard Road, Royston, last week.

Her appeal against the fine has been turned down by UCS Parking, the firm that patrols the area, despite her friend, who has a permit, offering to write a letter of support.

Mrs Burton said: “I popped round to my friend’s house to drop her daughter off, and asked her if it was ok to park in her car parking space. She said it was fine, but when I returned 15 minutes later I found I had a parking ticket.

“I was shocked and quite upset about this. I’m a new mum and I don’t have any money coming in, so to have a fine hanging over my head is a worry. And when I tried to appeal with my friend’s help they just turned me down flat, they didn’t even want to try and resolve this or listen to the fact that I had permission to park there.

“I personally feel this is outrageous. This has been very upsetting for me and also to my friend who feels so guilty.”

Emma Timberlake, from UCS Parking said the firm could not comment on specific cases.

She said: “The terms and conditions of parking on the development state that vehicles without permits will be issued with a parking charge.

“We are members of the British Parking Association, so should anyone have an appeal turned down and wants to challenge the decision, they are more than welcome to do so by going through the Parking on Private Land appeals service.”