"Fake" parking tickets issued in Torbay

They act as a warning to those parking on verges and pavements

They might look real. But they're not. These parking tickets are just a warning - they don't carry a fine. 

Council officers, councillors and local community groups have been given them to put on cars in areas where there are problems. 

They are the idea of Torbay Council. They want to make people who block pavements or plough up the verges to think twice. 

Liberal Democrat Councillor Swithin Long said “During the by election last Autumn where I got elected to the Council, a number of residents in the Barton & Watcombe ward shared with me the misery of vehicles ploughing up grass verges though out the ward.  This is not only unsightly but is often dangerous to people as the mud is often spread onto the pavement coursing a slip hazard. Vehicles blocking pavements are also a hazard to wheel chair users, visually impaired people and parents with push chairs.  My self and Councillor Steve Darling have raised this issue through a series of questions at Full Council with limited success.  However I arranged a meeting with officers in May this year to work out a way round the problem .  I was delighted when the outcome of the meeting was the development of these fake penalty notices that should make offenders think twice about parking on the pavement or grass verge.  Inside the leaflet there is a clear explanation of what harm their actions are causing to their neighbours.”