A Lanarkshire funeral directors has won their battle against Glasgow City Council after they were slapped with a bus lane fine for dropping off a grieving family at a wake.
East Kilbride-based Hester and Lalli Independent Funeral Care were given a Bus Lane Enforcement Charge for taking a bereaved family to the Grant Arms Pub on Argyle Street in the city centre for a funeral purvey in October.
One of those in the funeral limousine had mobility issues and the rain was lashing down so the driver decided to drop the family as close to the venue as possible before moving on.
Funeral director, Dee Lalli, called on the city council to "have a heart" and look again at their rules on funeral cars and bus lanes.
An initial appeal was refused by Glasgow City Council but owner, Dee Lalli, took the decision to the Independent Adjudicator at Parking and Bus Lane Appeals, First Tier Tribunal for Scotland.
They ruled that a fine should not be imposed as simply dropping-off the family was covered by an exemption under the traffic order covering bus lanes.
Dee told Lanarkshire Live: "I am delighted that common sense has prevailed. This was never about the money - it was about the principle and we are so happy the adjudicator ruled in our favour.
"This has being going on since November and I said whatever ruling the adjudicator made I would adhere to - either way.
"But if the family are in mourning, it's pelting down, why on earth would you drop them off at some corner from where they have to walk in the pouring rain to get to their destination?
"One of the group also had mobility issues and said they wouldn't be able to walk the distance required if not dropped off at the door.
"This is a most distressing time for a family and it is our duty as funeral directors to look after the families in their time of need.
"Hopefully this ruling will make Glasgow City Council reassess their policy on this and it might help other funeral directors and families going forward."
Glasgow City argued that the only vehicles which are exempt from the Traffic Order and are permitted to utilise this bus lane are buses, taxis and cycles.
They also said that there is clear signage and markings on the carriageway, on approach to the bus lane, to inform motorists of the oncoming bus lane.
But the adjudicator argued that the funeral limousine was permitted under an exemption which allows for the vehicle to be within the flow of bus lane "for so long as may be necessary to enable a person or persons to board or alight from the vehicle or to load or unload therefrom their personal luggage.”
A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “We have been notified of the tribunal’s decision and the fine in this case will be cancelled.”
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