Parking stories in the News/media

Coupon-mad

Coupon-mad said:

Nice case of Excel Parking Services Ltd losing in court yet again:
https://www.thestar.co.uk/business/excel-parking-judge-dismisses-case-against-pensioner-after-18-month-dispute-4252331

When Excel Parking brought a case against him, Stanley pointed out a tell-tale detail that proved that the bays were too dimly lit to see if one was reserved or different.

District Judge McCloskey took just a few minutes to dismiss Excel's claim for £255 - and handed it a £306 bill to cover Stanley's legal costs.

Stanley said: "I strongly resent how Excel tried to turn a £1.60 parking fee into a £100 fine and ultimately into a demand for £255.

"Legal or not, it’s bordering on extortion. Let’s hope the Government’s proposed new Parking Code of Practice will address these failings."

Edited the above, to change the bad (Scum) link to a much better article by our fave Sheffield journalist David Walsh who didn't waste any time picking up on it:

https://www.thestar.co.uk/business/excel-parking-judge-dismisses-case-against-pensioner-after-18-month-dispute-4252331

Mr Walsh is also good at publicising the DLUHC's private parking levels 'call for evidence', which he has done again.

Coupon-mad

Yet another Hotel utterly duped into thinking ANPR is a good idea in a car park where they really want to invite customers:
https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/peeved-peter-slams-ridiculous-60-8608064.amp

DoubleTree by Hilton Stoke-on-Trent you are NAMED AND SHAMED.

It is tone deaf madness to inflict ANPR (which takes zero account of circumstances or special events) on a large party arriving for a busy Prom, and the fact you cancelled one PCN doesn't help.

Hotels like yours drive people away with this greedy PCN-machine.

THIS IS HOW NOT TO GET PROM BOOKINGS IN FUTURE.  ALL YOU HAD TO DO FOR WEDDINGS, FUNERAL GROUPS AND PROMS IS SWITCH THE BLOODY ANPR SYSTEM OFF THAT DAY.

But no, you expected drivers to shoulder the burden of using a keypad one by one (terms that they couldn't read) in order to exempt each car.

You are mad.  Commercial suicide having ANPR at a Hotel.

THE PPC SHOULD BE REMOVED ASAP BECAUSE PUBS & HOTEL VENUES ALWAYS REGRET THIS ERROR.

DoubleTree by Hilton Stoke-on-Trent, you need to end the contract immediately.

"Peter, from Newcastle, said: “I didn’t see any signs at all. When we dropped him off there were hundreds of people. I was just trying not to knock anybody over. The children were everywhere and photographers were standing on the walls. I couldn’t see any signs, they should make them more visible so you can’t miss them.

I parked up for about half-an-hour to get a few photos. Next thing I’ve got a £60 parking charge. I wonder how many others have been done? I’ll be surprised if not a load of other people haven't been done. It’s ridiculous, it’s £60 I didn’t want to spend.”

Snakes_Belly

Taken from the FB group page originally started to fight claims issued by Excel.  Three Spires dispensed with Excel and appointed ECP to operate the two car parks. ECP have been not much of an improvement if any. It is damaging the town which has a vibrant night life. The current tariffs are out of sync with the evening venues etc. The car parks were previously operated (but not owned) by the council.

"Leader of the council - Doug Pullen, it is clear that the Three Spires car parks are no better for motorists under the current operator.

People are still getting fined due to unclear signage, with people still commenting on this group that they will never come back to Lichfield after being fined unfairly.

You posted on this group on 10/6/2022 that the new owners would be “Community-focussed”. With relation to the Three Spires car parks, and the conduct of the operator engaged, this has proven not to be the case.

It is unnacceptable for people struggling financially already to find themselves in receipt of what they believe to be a falsely issued “invoice” from a parking operator, when in the vast majority of cases a genuine attempt to pay has been made.

As the person ultimately responsible for guiding Lichfield to be as attractive a choice as possible for shoppers, tourists and residents to want to make repeat visits to spend their money here what are you going to do about it ?

Coupon-mad

Your evidence and findings about Lichfield being ruined by an IPC operator followed by a BPA one with equally awful signage and systems will be great as a response to the DLUHC's question about deterrents and human behaviour.

I assume you will be submitting an answer and your evidence re that question yourself @Snakes_Belly, so I won't mention Lichfield in my answers.

Snakes_Belly

Coupon-mad said:

Your evidence and findings about Lichfield being ruined by an IPC operator followed by a BPA one with equally awful signage and systems will be great as a response to the DLUHC's question about deterrents and human behaviour.

I assume you will be submitting an answer and your evidence re that question yourself @Snakes_Belly, so I won't mention Lichfield in my answers.

Yes I will and there are others on the FB group who will all be having their say.

"It is unnacceptable for people struggling financially already to find themselves in receipt of what they believe to be a falsely issued “invoice” from a parking operator, when in the vast majority of cases a genuine attempt to pay has been made".

How can any person think that it is acceptable. In the majority of claims we see on here the drivers have attempted to pay. 

Coupon-mad

Can anyone in Leicester work out who exactly was issuing PCNs on foot here?

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/taxi-drivers-fume-after-being-8653646?int_source=amp_continue_reading&int_medium=amp&int_campaign=continue_reading_button#amp-readmore-target

Seems the TOC has backtracked and removed the signs, when they saw the bad publicity and realised that their daft scheme was 'fining' ...

...a private hire firm that had the contract to transport railway staff to and from stations!

You could not make it up.  But that TOC did.

Fruitcake

Coupon-mad said:

Can anyone in Leicester work out who exactly was issuing PCNs on foot here?

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/taxi-drivers-fume-after-being-8653646?int_source=amp_continue_reading&int_medium=amp&int_campaign=continue_reading_button#amp-readmore-target

Seems the TOC has backtracked and removed the signs, when they saw the bad publicity and realised that their daft scheme was 'fining' ...

...a private hire firm that had the contract to transport railway staff to and from stations!

You could not make it up.  But that TOC did.

That's another location with a £70 charge for the DLUHC call for evidence.

Nellymoser

Others who are spreading the news about Parking Code of Practice Call for Evidence consultation 
         https://www.sarahatherton.org.uk/news/private-parking-code-practice-call-evidence
         https://www.marshall-leasing.co.uk/blog/2023/8/14/713/call_for_evidence_on_the_private_parking_industry

LoneStarState

Can’t pay and they really do take it away: what happens when the bailiffs come knocking | Aditya Chakrabortty | The Guardian

Whilst this concerns a poor London lady suffering the bailiffs taking her car due to council issued penalty charge notices, we know there would be thousands in a similar private parking predicament, as a result of frivolous and cynical multi ticket residential and other cases awarded in default against unsuspecting people.  People just simply trying to achieve the quiet enjoyment that they are entitled to.

The cynical attempts (and unfortunately, successes) in trying to trump up claims to several hundred pounds through DRA fees and exorbitant interest due to PPCs sitting on their cases for a number of years shows why these fees need to be outright banned and the parking charge level should be no more than £70.

Private parking industry = booming
Debt collection agents and bailiffs = booming
Everyone else left high and dry

daveyjp

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/transport/leeds-bradford-airport-pensioners-distress-at-getting-court-summons-after-parking-for-27-seconds-4259680

Leeds Bradford again failing to take responsibility for their parking entrances, signage and the actions of their contractor.  LBA you contract with the parking sharks, they do not rule you.