Parking ticket - faulty machine

Sybersal

Any suggestions or help would be gratefully received.
My elderly mother recently parked in a council car park. She put her money in the machine and took her ticket and displayed it in her windscreen. However she did not hear some of her money not register and go straight through so she did not pay enough for the ticket - and received a parking ticket.
I apprecaite she should have checked. However I regularly use this car park and that machine - and money regualarly does not register, virtually every time I use the machine.
She has written to the council but they have refused her appeal. I am sure I can get several if not more people who can confirm the machine does have a problem....

Mark_Hewitt

I'm not sure you have any legal grounds for appeal. The council may argue that if you are unable to use a parking meter then you're probably not fit to drive either? That being said it's worth asking nicely and see what they say.

Sybersal

I did not say she was not fit to use a parking meter - do you check your ticket every time you use a machine? She did not hear her money drop through and as many people assumed would assumed it had registered. I can confirm that virtually every time I use the machine (3 times a week) some coins don't register.

Mark_Hewitt

Sybersal wrote: »

I did not say she was not fit to use a parking meter

No, but they may well do.

do you check your ticket every time you use a machine?

Of course!! Check the time displayed on the machine and the time printed on the ticket.

Yes, it's unfortunate, but it really is *her* responsibility to make sure the correct amount has registered. Now I know you may now call me calous or uncaring etc, but it doesn't change that fact!

As I've said, it doesn't stop you disputing this with the council, they may take pity on you. But the fine, as given, is correct.

pogofish

Challenge it - I've had a ticket cancelled before for just this reason. Many of the older machines in my area are really iffy with coins and it can take many goes before they finally drop.

peter_the_piper

Possibly a FOI request to ask how often the machines are supposed to be checked and when the last time was, would be of help in fighting this.

landmark

Also I suggest you make a formal complaint about the faulty meter; it will provide support if this goes to the Parking Tribunal.