asked to drive around to the rear of the building  (Chesterfield Gdns) to pick up a client. My passenger was a very frail, blind lady who needed a great deal of assistance getting in and out of the Taxi. The lady informed me that she only wanted to go locally to do some shopping, but needed to stop at the Royal Bank of Scotland in Curzon Street first.
  On approaching the bank, I told my passenger that outside the bank was a zebra crossing and that I could not park directly outside the entrance. The lady asked me to stop as close as I could and as she was blind, would I mind walking her to the door?
   I parked just past the crossing, helped her from the Taxi and together walked slowly to the bank entrance. I escorted her through the door and to the first available counter. I told the lady that I had to leave her with bank staff as I had to return to my cab. On exiting the bank, I saw the traffic warden writing a ticket. I tried to quickly explain the situation, but he was not interested and placed the ticket on my windscreen. I returned to the bank and escorted my passenger back to the Taxi. I assisted her in the same way
for a further two destinations before returning to Chesterfield House. It is not only courteous, but is a requirement of my profession to assist passengers – especially disabled ones. Whilst acknowledging I had parked on yellow lines and that the warden may not have seen me helping the blind lady, I feel that given these circumstances, the ticket was issued unfairly. I hope that you can show some discretion and compassion in this situation and that common sense can prevail and you can cancel this ticket."
   One month went by before Kevin received a reply from Ms Kirsty Davis of Westminster’s

Parking Services department.
She wrote…
  "Thank you for your letter about the above Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). I am sorry for the delay in my reply. The PCN was issued because the vehicle was seen parked in a street when parking restrictions were in force. Yellow lines at the edge of the road mean that there are parking restrictions which apply to the entire road. You have stated that at the time you were assisting a frail, blind lady to the bank as part of your duties as a taxi driver.  The City Council appreciates that the picking up and setting down of passengers and their luggage is sometimes necessary and most regulations provide an exemption for this purpose. In most instances, the exemption applies strictly to allow the passenger to board or alight the vehicle and does not include waiting for or seeking out the passenger. The vehicle should not be left unattended and it should be immediately obvious to a Parking Attendant that the vehicle is parked for this purpose. In this instance, the vehicle was unattended and no activity was seen to be taking place around the vehicle. As there was no indication that the vehicle was parked or setting down or picking up a passenger, a PCN was issued instantly.
   The City of Westminster appreciates that as part of your duties, you may be required to assist passengers in / out of the cab and to nearby premises. However, if such assistance needs to be given, your vehicle should be parked legally on a meter or pay and display bay. Taxis must not be left on yellow lines in such situations.
   Careful consideration has been given to the points that you have raised about the issue of the PCN, but I am unable to cancel it for the reasons given. Your payment has been kept in full and final settlement and the case is now closed."
   Call Sign hopes to be able to speak to Westminster Parking Services about the general situation in a future issue…

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