An engineer from Sutton was left gobsmacked after receiving a parking charge notice from Merton Council whilst attending a call.

Tim Fortescue, 48, of Fortescue Heating, was on call to tenants who had no water, on Nursery Road in Wimbledon, when he received the notice, on May 12.

The gas engineer says there were minimal spaces due to everybody staying home, so left a note on his window which stated 'essential service work', as he parked in a parking bay.

The note which read clearly across his windscreen seemed to have gone unnoticed as he walked out to find a PCN placed 'right next to it'.

Wimbledon Times:

Parking for no longer than an hour, Tim says he tried to explain to the enforcement officers who were in sight, who told him to appeal.

He goes onto further say, that on top of being fined, he is now at risk of contracting coronavirus due to the enforcement officers not wearing PPE.

Tim Fortescue, of Fortescue Heating, said: "This is causing more stress for people in this country’s current situation.

"These two clowns are non-essential workers and they both are not applying the government's rules.

Wimbledon Times:

"They wasn’t wearing the correct uniform and had no gloves on whilst issuing PCN’s.

"It seems that Merton Council are above the government advise and are making non-essential workers go to work when surely could be furloughed?

"What Merton Council have done is try to profiteer whilst the country is in a pandemic which is not the British way."

A spokesperson for Merton Council, said: “The council has a Parking Appeals Policy which all members of the public who have received a ticket can access.

"The council is currently keeping under review government guidance regarding parking from organisations such as the British Parking Association.

"It has also issued over 750 free permits for key workers and NHS staff.

"The council is following the relevant government guidance with regards to personal protective equipment.”

Tim Fortescue is now waiting on a response to his appeal.