Agreed, it was on the sign. My point was that when I left the car, I did not know that I was breaking the rules. Now since I took the time to read the sign to check the time limit, the fact that I did not see the driver restriction (perhaps) implies that it was not stated clearly enough.
There is some tiny writing at the bottom of the sign in the third picture in my OP. If "driver must remain with vehicle" was in this font size, it would be unacceptable. So, where's the line?
Thank you for the legal stuff, I was aware that just ignoring it is probably not the way to go since the rules have changed. I will therefore not ignore it, I will either contest it or pay up.
What about the big bit that said 'NO PARKING'. You parked, you didn't wait. I'm not being an ass but come on, it is clearly on the sign.
I drove into London last year and wasn't sure I was in congestion charging area because I missed the signs. I got a £60 ticket. It was my **** up, I paid the bill and moved on. I got nicked for doing 70 in a 50, it was my **** up, I paid the bill. I got flashed for driving down a bus lane in Plymouth, it was my **** up I paid the bill.
I could go on. I'm not having a go at you OP, it's just this entire society seems to be moving towards getting off things when they do wrong. Sure, some things are annoying, some things are stupid, but we need to take responsibility when we **** up, for we all do not try and find every single reason not to take the fine. I'm the last person to talk about driving everywhere at the speed limit, I roll the dice and hope I get away with it like most people but if I don't I spend no time trying to find loop holes to get out of it.