Parking stories in the News/media

Coupon-mad

Not sure which PPC scammer this is, but whichever chancer operates this Hampstead Heath car park should hang their heads in shame:

https://www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/disabled-driver-says-she-felt-criminalised-by-hampstead-heath-car-park-fine

"An English Heritage spokeswoman said the ticket was “issued in error” as blue badge holders could park in any space in the car park, adding that they “could only apologise for the upset this error has undoubtedly caused” and cancel the ticket immediately.

An official statement read: “At Kenwood, Blue Badge holders are welcome to park in any available space free of charge."

Flipping heck!  It takes the landowner to step in and point this out?!

Of course a disabled person displaying a Blue Badge can use the car park in any bay (with all concessions applying) if the accessible bays are full!  They don't have to pay to park, based on which poxy bay they are in!

Umkomaas

Looks like 'RBCS' is involved in (and putting their name to) parking "outrageous scam" operation using ANPR at Waitrose, that allows a fly-by-night BPA member 'Park There' to extract £100 a pop in fake PCNs from disabled shoppers.

The PPC is Sagoss T/A ParkFair.  Sagoss appears to be primarily a software developer, with a PPC trading arm. Their target market appears to include local authorities/councils.  It's seems very likely that this offers back-door access to ANPR enforcement for LAs.

https://sagossgroup.com/

Coupon-mad

Umkomaas said:

Looks like 'RBCS' is involved in (and putting their name to) parking "outrageous scam" operation using ANPR at Waitrose, that allows a fly-by-night BPA member 'Park There' to extract £100 a pop in fake PCNs from disabled shoppers.

The PPC is Sagoss T/A ParkFair.  Sagoss appears to be primarily a software developer, with a PPC trading arm. Their target market appears to include local authorities/councils.  It's seems very likely that this offers back-door access to ANPR enforcement for LAs.

https://sagossgroup.com/

Thanks, that's useful.

I reckon I'll do a FOI of RCBS next week.

If anyone wants to suggest questions please do.

Coupon-mad

Here's some good news, although it's a shame Sainsburys haven't kicked out Euro Car Parks entirely:
https://www.lincolnshireworld.com/business/consumer/supermarkets-car-park-u-turn-4156393

"Bosses of a Sleaford supermarket have back-tracked on a controversial new move to penalise drivers for overstaying a two-hour limit in their car park during hours when parking is usually free.

After being approached by The Standard to explain the new move, a Sainsbury’s spokesperson announced a U-turn, saying:

"Initially we operated a two-hour parking restriction at all times to prevent unauthorised parking when the store is closed. After hearing feedback from the local community, we’ve decided to only operate parking restrictions between 9am and 4pm Monday to Saturday.”

 

Snakes_Belly

More chance for confusion and rip off when pay and display is phased out. 

Coupon-mad

Snakes_Belly said:

More chance for confusion and rip off when pay and display is phased out. 

I don't think in practice it will be phased out...this clashes with Government intentions.

Brighton & Hove CC have said they are getting rid of machines but they can get stuffed IMHO.

I hope Councils are forced to backtrack because this is discriminatory.  You can't prevent most of the older generation of drivers from using town centres, cinemas, beaches and other destinations.  Older people and others who don't live and breathe phones cannot be marginalised like this.

If Councils are allowed to get away with it then private firms will follow and that's just not acceptable.

Snakes_Belly

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/mps-expenses-driving-fines-b2347335.html

It would seem that MP's are claiming for "fines" on their expenses. Some are claiming them as travel costs. I think that these "fines" are a combination of PCN's and fixed penalty fines.

Perhaps if the " fines" are paid out of their own pockets they may become more inclined to push forward with the Code of Practice.

Snakes_Belly

https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/2023/05/28/council-chiefs-hope-new-car-park-pay-on-exit-system-will-encourage-people-to-spend-more-time-in-lichfield-city-centre/?utm_content=bufferba5f1&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer&fbclid=IwAR2fVR7FbKAb-f3MS9uJA9H2Hfn3sqvGXJn8Ph-qVcQ2n8MNR7iyWvakAq8

Lichfield has really taken a downturn in visitors since the Excel debacle. Euro Car Parks are not much better.  They should have realised that there was going to be strong competition from the West Midland Designer Village which is free parking and no time restrictions. 

patient_dream

Snakes_Belly said:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/mps-expenses-driving-fines-b2347335.html

It would seem that MP's are claiming for "fines" on their expenses. Some are claiming them as travel costs. I think that these "fines" are a combination of PCN's and fixed penalty fines.

Perhaps if the " fines" are paid out of their own pockets they may become more inclined to push forward with the Code of Practice.

UNREAL ?  Do they get nectar points as well ?

patient_dream

Snakes_Belly said:

https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/2023/05/28/council-chiefs-hope-new-car-park-pay-on-exit-system-will-encourage-people-to-spend-more-time-in-lichfield-city-centre/?utm_content=bufferba5f1&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer&fbclid=IwAR2fVR7FbKAb-f3MS9uJA9H2Hfn3sqvGXJn8Ph-qVcQ2n8MNR7iyWvakAq8

Lichfield has really taken a downturn in visitors since the Excel debacle. Euro Car Parks are not much better.  They should have realised that there was going to be strong competition from the West Midland Designer Village which is free parking and no time restrictions. 

It will see a camera pick up the car number plate on entry and then display the payment amount when motorists are ready to leave. 

But councils are banned from USING ANPR