Direct Solutions for Parking kicked out of Instow, Devon

Fruitcake

Direct Solutions for Parking (DSFP) have been kicked off the Instow/Sandhills car park in Devon owned by Christie Estates. They are being replaced by an in-house company owned and run by the landowner. It appears that the ANPR scammeras will be removed and a 15 minute drop off and go period will be introduced to encourage people onto the site.

For those who don't know, scameras are at the site entrance to a seriously pot-holed approach road several hundred metres long, meaning that by the time people have parked they will have already missed any grace periods. CCTV cameras had been installed around the site, and were often seen tracking people on the beach even though they were supposed to only be monitoring the car park.
PDT machines were often inoperative meaning pay by 'phone was the only payment option, but 'phone reception has always been patchy at best, and no reception was available for some 'phone companies.

Scameras were installed without planning permission, and Advertising Consent was absent for some time. The council did not help and actually allowed retrospecive Ad-consent. The local MP was useless. Imagine my surprise.

A campaign including a Fakebook Group run by a most excellent lady called Rachael has been fighting the scammers for years. She helps people at other locations as well, and has at least one court win under her belt. Initially it appeared that the landowner was not interested in helping, but behind the scenes Rachael has been working with the landowner, and what a result!

This is a statement from the Christie Estates who it appears are actually trying to repair the damage done to tourism in the area, and their own reputation by their former contractor.

From March 1st, Christie Estates will be taking over the management of Sandhills car park in Instow through an operating company called NDCI Ltd. The Estate has been working with the local community for input on new signage and improvements to the visitor experience. This includes transparency of messaging, the addition of a contactless payment facility and a free 15 minute drop off and go period. While enforcement measures will remain in place, it is hoped the removal of ANPR cameras and a more open management approach will mark a new chapter for the car park and serve the best interests of the local community and visitors to Instow.

This week there will be a transition period where there will be some disruption whilst surfacing works are being undertaken, and the machines and signage are being upgraded. Please bear with us during this time which may require the car park to be closed for a short period early in the week.


To date, DSFP have never tried court, but that doesn't mean they won't try the several hundred back issue PCNs in their portfolio.

beamerguy

What a delightful story ..... wonder how many landowners are having the same thoughts ?

Umkomaas

To date, DSFP have never tried court, but that doesn't mean they won't try the several hundred back issue PCNs in their portfolio.

Possibly of a revenge nature targeting unpaid tickets specifically for this site. True colours coming to the fore perhaps. 

Coupon-mad

A brilliant example of Rachael's work (I know who you mean) and a great example to show that ANPR ruins car parks, and that the landowner actually running it themselves and putting their customers' interests first with a far better 15 minute grace period and no intrusive camera surveillance, is the way forward.

D_P_Dance

I they do try court I hope that the landowner and the local press and Tourist Office with stick an oar in.  

Fruitcake

The latest report is that the scameras were removed by midday on Monday. As far as I know, the scammers only had this scampark on their books. They tried to get a toe in elsewhere but the whole might of the Instow Fightback Group left bad reviews and they didn't get a look in as a result.