Illegal to charge more for cash payment than 'cashless' payment at parking meter?

Kentboys

We've just been up to London today for a day trip and as the trains are not running, decided to drive up and part at the NCP North Greenwich (Underground) Car Park.

The advertised rate was £11 for Saturdays but the machine would only accept us paying £11.40, which was the 'cash rate' for Mon-Fri (as oppose to the Cashless rate of £11).

I am not going to fight them for the return of 40p - its just the principle of the thing. Irrespective of the fact the machine was charging the Friday 'cash' rate and not the Saturday one, I always thought it was illegal to charge more for customers paying in cash (and the signs gave no indication the 40p is a handling fee or surcharge for associated costs). I can find lots online about the legality of surcharges for paying by credit and debit cards but nothing relating to cash payments. Can anyone clear this up? Thanks


In context - was also riled up :mad: that:
i) this car park have massively put their charges up
ii) you have to enter the car park from a blind left turn and before you know it you're hit by a bank of Automatic number plate recognition cameras which photograph your car. Even if you then see the charges, your car is photographed and logged and the 'no drop off or waiting signs' imply you will be charged even if you dont park (charging and enforcement done purely on cameras on exit and entrance).
iii) in a massive car park now only 1 machine, and you're charged via camera the second you enter
iv) help button got you through to a call centre in Manchester who's attitude was 'too bad people are being overcharged, this is an unmanned car park, send us an email'

Coupon-mad

I would send them an email, yes. And why not look to park for free at another station just outside the London area next time, when the trains are running OK.