Spending a penny in Kentish Town cost me a cool £50

Published: 10:55 AM January 3, 2007 Updated: 9:52 AM February 20, 2021

I was amused by contrasting tales of parking experiences in recent editions of the Ham&High, having myself been caught short while delivering leaflets on behalf of the supposedly meter-user-friendly Lib Dems. I parked at a meter while I went in search of

I was amused by contrasting tales of parking experiences in recent editions of the Ham&High, having myself been caught short while delivering leaflets on behalf of the supposedly meter-user-friendly Lib Dems.

I parked at a meter while I went in search of a public toilet in Kentish Town. Not an easy quest, but there is one - just one - in the public library.

Unfortunately it was occupied. I waited. When I got in, I found there was no toilet paper. The library staff told me the toilet rolls supplied did not fit the holders and were regularly removed as fast as they could replace them. By the time I had got a toilet roll, the lav was occupied again. When I finally returned to the car I was four minutes over, and the parking ticket was already in place.

No, I don't expect the Lib Dem-led administration to rescind the fine. I don't think it's the parking authority's job to listen to hard luck stories and lame excuses. I was out of time so I paid the fine and instead of spending a penny I parted with £51, all because Camden's procurement personnel can't buy bog-rolls that fit the holders. Personally I blame Labour - they bought the holders.