A MAN had his car towed away after a blunder by the council’s highways contractor.

David Cowell, 39, a bus driver of Templeton Avenue, Chingford, was visiting his severely disabled brother in Markhouse Road, Walthamstow on Sunday March 15 when his car was taken.

Although he had parked on double yellow lines, his car was beside a sign stating restrictions are only applicable from Monday to Saturday.

According to cabinet member for environment Cllr Bob Belam, the sign should have been removed after the lines were painted but was left up “in error” by the contractors.

“I had the parking ticket at 8.10am and it was towed by 8.30am,” he said.

“I had to pay £250 to get it back.”

Mr Cowell cares for his brother, Peter, 43, who survived three heart attacks, a stroke and kidney failure and was unable to take him shopping for clothes as a result.

He said: “It’s not just annoying for me - it’s Peter’s mobility as well. He depends on me to get him about and since the stroke, he’s very short tempered - it stressed him out.”

Mr Cowell’s brother also recently suffered cuts to his benefits and was only able to have them reinstated after months of living on incapacity benefit of just £62.50 a week.

Cllr Belam said: “Though double yellow lines apply at all times, we have visited the site and can see where the confusion has arisen.

“I would like to apologise for the inconvenience this must have caused and will ensure that NCP arrange for a refund to be sent to the vehicle’s owner.

“I will also make sure that the sign is removed to prevent similar situations arising in the future.”