I always thought parking attendants were paid to ensure the smooth passage of traffic and the safety of pedestrians. Obviously I am mistaken.

I parked in Valnay Street, SW17, purchased a pay and display ticket, stuck it to my window and went about my business. I came back and much to my surprise, I had been issued a parking ticket for "not clearly displaying a valid pay and display ticket".

It was obvious I had paid for parking, there was a ticket stuck to my window. So I appealed. That appeal was rejected this week on the grounds that I had purchased the ticket from the wrong machine. I had purchased a ticket from a machine two bays up on the same side of the street, instead of crossing the road and purchasing a ticket from a machine on the other side of the street.

Did you know that parking signs have a coloured rim and that you need to purchase a ticket from the matching coloured machine?

Or that if you are in a maximum four hour stay bay, you have to purchase a ticket from that type of machine, and not the machine which is closest?

Is the council trying to ensure the smooth passage of traffic and safety for pedestrians or are they mean-spirited money grabbers?

I plan to continue my appeal and would appreciate an open discussion about this issue.

Suzy Jacobs via email