A cab driver that was given a ticket while collecting a disabled boy from a bingo club has had the ticket overturned.

Roy Smith, 49, who has been a taxi driver for the last 10 years, was called to Gala Bingo, in Southernhay, to pick up a mother and her teenage son. Having parked outside for just a few minutes he was given a £35 ticket after being spotted by Basildon Council’s CCTV car.

The road was marked “No Loading”, however this allows taxi drivers to drop off or collect customers, but they are not supposed to park for any length of time.

Having refused to within two weeks his fine was increased to £70. However he challenged the ticket through the local government ombudsmen. The fine has now been withdrawn. Mr Smith commented: “I’m really pleased because I don’t think I should be penalised for doing my job.

“It’s also good to get one over on that stupid car, which is a waste of everyone’s time and money.

“At least with a traffic warden you can speak to them in person, if you don’t think you deserved a ticket. They can use their discretion and overturn tickets, but the smart car just takes its photo and drives off.”

A spokesman for the Basildon Council added: “After discussions with the taxi trade associations, we withdrew the case before it went to adjudication.

“This was in return for an undertaking their members would not arrive to pick up their passengers before the booked time, where there are parking restrictions in place.”