ON a visit to Asda the other day with my son-in-law and grandaughter, we parked in the disabled bays and put my disabled badge and clock on the dashboard of his car.

When we came out of the store, we were shocked to see a parking ticket on the windscreen.

It appears that Asda is having its car park policed by a private firm of "parking wardens" who are based in Scotland, and the reason given for this ticket was "unauthorised use of parking bay".

I am in favour of stopping drivers who are not disabled using these bays. But I think the wardens should look properly before putting on the tickets.

My badge was clearly visible, but now the company wants £40 from my son-in-law for the privilege of parking on a supermarket car park.

I wonder just how legal this is. After all it is a car park for all supermarket shoppers.

Is Asda hoping to get yet more revenue from this? Are the bays covered by the Road Traffic Act?

J Dawson,

Butcher Terrace, York.

Updated: 10:13 Tuesday, March 16, 2004