Parking stories in the News/media

Coupon-mad

This is concerning about a scam altering QR codes at car parks:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12764891/QR-fraud-gang-dupe-unsuspecting-pensioner-71-13-000-used-fake-code-railway-station-car-park-sign.html

Of course she'll also have got an APCOA PCN. Three guesses which of the worst ex-clamper firms in this situation wouldn't cancel the PCN?

patient_dream

UncleThomasCobley said:

Coupon-mad said:

Interesting take on real PCNs and fake PCNs, from Canada:

https://www.thespec.com/opinion/parking-predicament-charity-volunteer-s-double-fine-dilemma-raises-questions-about-city-of-hamilton-policies/article_d24ea730-478d-5d87-955b-dd0723c76c0b.html

What a mess.

After a recent visit to Winnipeg, I used a P&D car park at a shopping venue. I wasn't sure on the procedure and hadn't paid. I did this twice before getting some advice and on the third visit, paid (just enter reg. No need to display ticket). On returning to the car, there was a card under the wiper blade.

The card basically said that they'd noticed that I hadn't paid a couple of previous times and that if I wanted to avoid being charged or towed, I should pay. It went on to politely say that they did not want to cause any problem with me patronising the location and that the reminder was just that, to pay in future.

I regret not keeping the card and showing it here as a good example of how parking firms should operate with the idea that their contractor should be able to profit from the drivers patronage but if, after a couple of gentle reminders, repeat offenders will finally be invoiced or towed.

Can you imagine any of the vermin that infest our privately run car parks here in the UK ever considering the effect that they have on their contractors business with their rush to inflict damage and repetitional loss in order to feed their own greed, adopting such a stance?

The problem in the UK is that ignorance prevails. They are our very own terror group with cells around the UK under the supervision of the BPA and IPC

SUNAK TALKS THE TALK ... THAT'S ALL HE DOES

Not_A_Hope

This is concerning about a scam altering QR codes at car parks:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12764891/QR-fraud-gang-dupe-unsuspecting-pensioner-71-13-000-used-fake-code-railway-station-car-park-sign.html

Of course she'll also have got an APCOA PCN. Three guesses which of the worst ex-clamper firms in this situation wouldn't cancel the PCN?

This was also on the BBC News this morning. I laughed a little when they suggested to avoid the scam to check whether the sign had any stickers on. As we know here many PPCs use stickers routinely to amend the T&Cs anyway. Scam QR codes on top of scam PPC T&Cs. It is just not safe out there these days  

Half_way

And after a brief lull, back to form with a story from the compassionate world of the un regulated parking industry:

Nottingham mum slapped with a parking fine while she miscarried in hospital now being taken to court

The parking company says it "remains satisfied" with the charge it issued.

https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/nottingham-mum-slapped-parking-fine-8913308

Coupon-mad

Vehicle Control Services should be ashamed.

1505grandad

What happened about WH "compassion":-

https://hubpublishing.co.uk/parking-does-not-need-to-be-an-accident-waiting-to-happen/

"There is no magic wand and it will never be possible to keep everyone happy all of the time when there is insufficient supply to meet demand.  But there is no benefit to be gained by being heavy-handed or turning a blind eye to the practical and very real needs of visitors and staff.  And, there’s certainly no convenient carpet available to brush things under. However, there are ways to minimise many of the parking issues being experienced by Health Trusts around the country."

Coupon-mad

1505grandad said:

What happened about WH "compassion":-

https://hubpublishing.co.uk/parking-does-not-need-to-be-an-accident-waiting-to-happen/

"There is no magic wand and it will never be possible to keep everyone happy all of the time when there is insufficient supply to meet demand.  But there is no benefit to be gained by being heavy-handed or turning a blind eye to the practical and very real needs of visitors and staff.  And, there’s certainly no convenient carpet available to brush things under. However, there are ways to minimise many of the parking issues being experienced by Health Trusts around the country."

I doubt anyone reads much of his stuff!

Also, the DLUHC has covered the practical needs of visitors and staff, by fairer levels of parking charges that are more proportionate and less likely to be issued in the first place.

Also, staff car parks are protected, because the DLUHC's options seem to set out £100 for what looks like all permit locations.

So staff and residents' car parks won't be at £50 or £70 anyway.  No idea what they are whinging about except...money.

Coupon-mad

Have we seen this one?

https://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/23928330.man-slapped-170-parking-fine-trowbridge-car-park/

"Lewis Edwards from Westbury said he regularly uses The Shires shopping centre car park in Trowbridge and has no memory of ever not paying for parking.

“Every time I go there I always pay for parking on my phone. I’m actually quite anal about always making sure I’ve done it,” the 24-year-old explained.

So when a letter came through his door from Direct Collectors Bailiffs telling Mr Edwards he owed £170 and could be taken to court after not responding to three previous parking fine letters, he was in disbelief."

Somehow the PCN and letters had fallen into a black hole.

Parkmaven: when exactly are the worst BPA and IPC firms going to start doing parking management that doesn't involve dodgy fines as the main income source?

The usual model of rocking up offering to work 'free' looks rather like a protection racket, to right-thinking people.

Even if the missing letters were due to old DVLA data, how about breaking the habit of a lifetime and doing what the BPA said in 2022: comply with the NEW CODE - because you know it's coming?

Coupon-mad

And have we seen this one?

https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/23937979.colchester-driver-facing-fine-mcdonalds-parking-issue/

Apparently, a clueless victim actually thinks she "will have to pay in the end" even though it's a double dip case where she was merely dropping off and hours later, picking up a passenger twice in one day.

MET PARKING - just get lost.

This is not parking management.

Making it up as they go along, reportedly:

“They said to me the car park should not be used as a drop-off and is for customers only, but I gave my daughter cash to buy lunch there so technically I am a customer.

“And I was fined for overstaying, not using it as a drop-off.”

Indeed.  The BPA must be so proud.

Coupon-mad

Another one:

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/people-keep-being-fined-hundreds-28160563.amp

Gym-goers are being fined up to hundreds of pounds for parking in a car park which is free to users. Membership holders at PureGym in Gallagher Retail Park, Caerphilly are entitled to free parking but say they are being caught out by "ridiculous" rules.

'These three fines exceed my gym membership in a year.  I’m at the point where it is really putting me off. You go to the gym trying to improve your mental health and trying to make yourself feel better. Now I have this stress"

PARKINGEYE - just get lost.

This is not parking management. YAWN.

The BPA must be so proud of this rubbish keypad system that (going by all the reports we see) has the object or effect of setting genuine patrons up to fail.

Thing is, if you lot don't clean up your act, things like these dodgy keypads will soon be subject to Government scrutiny, and if I get my way they'll end up banned at the first parking code of practice review.