PARKING tickets are being issued at a bus stop where no buses stop.

A resident has already been caught out this week and a councillor has now parked there as an act of defiance.

Bus services outside 60 Monkwick Avenue, Colchester, have been cancelled.

But it appears nobody told the North Essex Parking Partnership whose traffic wardens remain ready to pounce.

Victim James Downes, 18, has lived near the stop all of his life.

He was told the bus stop was no longer valid and the shelter itself only remained because Essex County Council decided not to remove it.

Ward member Dave Harris was told it would be covered with a "not in use" cover.

On Tuesday Mr Downes dropped in for five minutes and parked outside his house at the former stop.

When he returned to his car he found he had a parking ticket.

He said: "I am frustrated and this is stupid.

"If it was being used as a bus stop I would not park there but it is not anymore.

"It is not active and they are still saying it is an offence to park outside my house."

On hearing the news Mr Harris parked there himself to highlight the point.

He said: "I am incensed that one my constituents has received a parking ticket for parking on a bus stop which is not in use because the service was withdrawn.

"To fine this man is unfair, unjust and against any common sense that exists.

"He is getting a ticket for blocking a bus that will never come."

Mr Harris explained he believes parking restrictions at active bus stops must be enforced but when there are no longer buses using it then no stop or restrictions are needed.

He said it is wrong for Essex County Council and the North Essex Parking Partnership to enforce restrictions which are not needed.

A spokesman for the NEPP said: "The roadside signs that accompany bus stops will advise motorists that no stopping is allowed except buses.

“The NEPP has not had confirmation the Traffic Regulation Order in Monkwick Avenue has been revoked by Essex County Council, so we still consider it a legal bus stop. "

The partnership stated the motorist can challenge the charge and will have to provide proof the bus stop is no longer valid.

The Gazette asked the partnership, the company in charge of restrictions, why they did not know which restrictions were and were not in place and why nobody at the partnership was checking on the situation with County Hall.

A spokesman for the NEPP has since confirmed the organisation will seek clarification but will enforce the stop in the meantime.

Mr Downes is appealing against the ticket.