A DRIVER was given a parking ticket despite being unable to move his car because it had broken down.

Steve Wedd was handed the £70 charge after his battery failed while dropping off a passenger in a loading bay.

The 58-year-old, from Ovingdean, said: “I pulled up in Kings Place to drop my passenger – not parking, dropping. When I tried to restart the car engine, the battery died on me. I called a garage immediately to rescue me. “While waiting for the rescue van, a traffic warden happened by. I explained my predicament but to no avail. I demonstrated I had a flat battery – ‘sorry mate I have to issue the parking ticket’.

“The warden could see that my passenger and I were just sitting waiting. The view from Kings Place is not one for which people journey to enjoy or want to linger in for fun.”

He added: “While I waited for rescue an ambulance car parked in front of me. The warden ignored him while writing out my ticket. I questioned this approach.

“Response – ambulances are exempt because they’re emergency vehicles.”

Mr Wedd claimed the ambulance driver then returned with a bag of baked goods from Gregg’s, adding: “Obviously the driver needed to do mouth to bun resuscitation.”

His Toyota was eventually jump-started from the side of the road by a mechanic.

According to the parking rules on Brighton and Hove City Council’s website, a charge notice may be issued if a broken-down vehicle contravenes parking regulations.

It adds: “When appealing please supply evidence such as a receipt from the garage, recovery company or a receipt for parts to support your appeal.”

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council added: “Anyone wanting to challenge a parking ticket is welcome to do so.”

A spokesman for the South East Coast Ambulance Service said: “As an emergency service, ambulance staff responding to emergency 999 calls are exempt from certain road and parking restrictions. “All our staff are reminded that they must obey any road or parking restrictions when they are not responding to emergency calls.”