Parking fine protest song to be released

Roberto's parking-fine protest song
Roberto Campoli has composed a protest against his parking ticket.
26 January 2009
Parking charges are not fine says fed-up musician Roberto Campoli.
He was thrilled to land a gig at Newcastle's O2 Academy, in Westgate Road, with his band Black Sun.But before he had even unloaded the band's gear from his car, a traffic warden gave him a ticket for parking in a loading bay. Furious Roberto, from East Moorside, Sunderland, contacted Newcastle City Council and was told only vans unloading equipment could use the bays, in Fenkle Street.The 22-year-old music student challenged the £30 charge in court.
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But when he arrived at Newcastle Magistrates' Court last week he was told the case had been dropped.Now he has put pen to paper to compose a song about his troubles.Roberto says he has written songs about current affairs, but is not a political campaigner."I'm just a normal lad from Sunderland. I don't really know much about the law, I just saw something I thought was unfair."I don't know any bands that have vans unless they are touring professionally and have big coaches.

Parking campaigner Neil Herron helped Roberto put his legal case together. He claims Newcastle City Council did not have legal permission to display traffic regulation signs like the one Roberto fell foul of.He said: "It seems if you don't know the law they will take £30 off you. This case has huge implications for Newcastle Council."Singer Roberto, drummer John Martindale and guitarist Ross Underwood have been together since last year and say they have a new indie sound.They have already gigged in Italy, and at the trendy Hope and Anchor, in Camden, London, and are planning a UK tour in July.