I was fined £650 for driving outside my own HOME – I feel like I’m living in a prison
A FRUSTRATED dad has hit back at a local council after he was slapped with a £650 fine for driving outside his own home.
Abdul Noormohamed, 39, has already received five tickets for entering a designated school streets zone during restricted hours.
The father says he had been handed the fines despite registering his car and van TWICE following the scheme’s initial trial period in 2020.
Abdul, who lives with his family in Harrow, North-West London, has been forced to take a longer route back from to work to avoid getting caught to the camera.
And now he feels like he is “living in a prison” on his own road having been left isolated by the new road rulings.
Speaking to My London, Abdul said: “I don’t understand what’s gone on. They’re sending fines to someone who lives in the zone, surely they can see that isn’t right if we’re supposed to be exempt?
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“My head is spinning, it’s caused so much extra effort and stress. We can’t have visitors, we don’t get deliveries. It’s got to the point now where we’re scared to go out on the road.
“It’s like being a prisoner in your own home. I’m not usually one to complain – sometimes it’s just easier to pay the fine. But this is just crazy.”
Abdul says he’s tried to contact the council on multiple occasions after being threatened with court action over his refusal to pay the fines.
He added the matters have even begun to affect his family life with relatives fearful of visiting him due to the harsh rules.
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Describing his aptitude for hosting large celebrations, Abdul explained: “My house is usually very active, my door is always open.
“I’d have people coming and going all day every day, but I can’t anymore as they’re scared of getting fined.”
“What are we supposed to tell people? That they can’t come to my home? That they have to fight to find a parking space somewhere else and then walk?”
The dad now believes that the council is simply shunting pollution onto other roads as well as causing confusion to motorists unfamiliar with the area.
The school streets scheme first came into force to restrict drop off and pick up times near schools at peak times.
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This came despite reported opposition in the area to other motoring measures such as pop-up cycle lanes and low-traffic neighbourhoods.
In response to Abdul’s concerns, a Harrow Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of this case and are working with the resident to help resolve the issue.”