Parking stories in the News/media

Umkomaas

Half_way said:

Thorndorise said:

BBC News - Parking fees introduced at forest used by Hollywood

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czrmme0zer2o

CP Plus t/a GroupNexus have weeded their way onto Forestry Commission land, max charge £50

Forestry commission land - covered with bye laws so this could well be not relevant land if CP plus/group nexus are pocketing the money from parking charge notices:

https://www.forestryengland.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Forestry Commission_Byelaws.pdf

Section 5: Acts prohibited on the lands of the commissioners, part xxxi

They might have trouble with part vi too (no displaying notices, placards or bills). Major problem on signage then!

Castle

Half_way said:

Thorndorise said:

BBC News - Parking fees introduced at forest used by Hollywood

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czrmme0zer2o

CP Plus t/a GroupNexus have weeded their way onto Forestry Commission land, max charge £50

Forestry commission land - covered with bye laws so this could well be not relevant land if CP plus/group nexus are pocketing the money from parking charge notices:

https://www.forestryengland.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Forestry Commission_Byelaws.pdf

Section 5: Acts prohibited on the lands of the commissioners, part xxxi

The Forestry Commission is also subject to the Freedom of Information Act.

Nellymoser

Update on the urgent meeting MP Lola McEvoy called over the “heavy-handed” approach at Darlington Feethams car park 

The company responsible for the "heavy handed" practice Excel bottled it, leaving Will Hurley IPC to attempt to calm the waters...with the new industry guidelines of course!

https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24599995.action-taken-dl1-feethams-car-park-darlington/

Ms McEvoy said: “I have received assurances that Excel Parking will follow these new industry guidelines, which in my view should improve drivers’ experience at DL1. 

• Clear signage highlighting any time limits on payment

• A £70 cap on overdue payment fees

• Additional steps to ensure letters have actually been delivered to people before any enforcement action can begin against them

• Greater consideration for drivers with accessibility issues

Will Hurley, CEO of the International Parking Community, added: “I feel very positive after meeting with Darlington’s MP Lola McEvoy. I can share that our work is leading to swift and practical changes that will be implemented shortly.”

While the article did say a new contactless payment system is be installed the '5 min to pay' was not mentioned so it seems enforcement of this T&C will continue.

https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24483727.lola-mcevoy-calls-urgent-meeting-darlington-car-park/

DE_612183

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRspxS0Z9Xs

Love her or hate her - Katie Hopkins is on board....

Nellymoser

This time it's Manchester Airport in the firing line. Slammed over 'rip-off' £25 drop-off 'overstay charge'

Complainants say it took a minute to drop people off in the drop off zone but with huge queues to leave the car park - and barriers not working - it takes you over the permitted 10-minute period and you've 'no choice' but to pay the £25 overstay charge before you exit.

It's all very well Man. Airport saying overstay charges will be refunded when barriers fail but no consideration is given to drivers who lack the finances to pay this charge on the day then appeal and await a refund.

Motorists are calling for this 'rip-off' system to be changed, they should only be charged for the time they enter and exit the specific drop-off zone not the time spent queueing to exit the car park.

In a complaint letter to his MP one said 

"Something should be done in Government to put a stop to this sharp practice". 

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/manchester-airport-slammed-over-rip-163105523.html

Nellymoser

Warning over parking at Doncaster shopping precinct

In his PCN appeal a Doncaster company boss offered to pay his unfair PCN charge on condition that additional signage or floor markings be added at the precinct to prevent other small businesses and the public from being unfairly charged.

Parking Group Ltd rejected his appeal.

Mr Telford said "there seems to be no interest in making any improvements to the area. I believe it is important to raise awareness about this issue to protect others from being caught in what appears to be an entrapment scheme."

More proof that the MHCLG planned statutory CoP and wider enforcement framework is still very much needed to protect motorists from PPC practice. Oh but wait BPA IPC new CoP commences in a few days maybe that will protect motorists!!!!!!!!!!! 

https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/people/warning-over-parking-at-doncaster-shopping-precinct-as-company-boss-stung-with-ps100-fine-4787209

Nellymoser

There's an increasing number of articles where a PPC admits to their mistakes as "technical errors". Other trades don't seem encounter as many "technical issues" as the PPCs. Maybe private parking companies struggling with the technology should consider returning to an employee in a hut taking car park payments (giving my age away!).

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/shoppers-fined-after-technical-errors-at-car-park-313601/

Customers slapped with £100 fines after technical errors at The Mall ANPR car park in Romney Place, Maidstone

Usual complaints 

• paid the fee but were fined anyway

• car reg entered in gym's tablet

• machine showed no fee to pay

YourParkingSpace say the problems are related to a recent software update. Customers experiencing problems should contact our customer success team.

Success for customers able to prove payment using a bank statement but those who paid with cash have not been successful. One appeal was rejected on the grounds that a 30-minute grace period does not exist, and that if the machine showed no fee to pay, the customer “should have used an alternative payment method”.

While the company says only a few customers have been affected, comments made on social media indicate this may be a wider issue.

Half_way

People need to start hitting the landowners over the actions of their agents, and hitting them hard.

 The only exception would be if its a charity or small one person independent, but the big corporates should be hit as hard as possible for taking on an unregulated parking company

Nellymoser

“I’m not paying the Parking Charge Notice because the company falsely advertised payment methods.” says Mrs Swift

https://www.thestar.co.uk/business/consumer/excel-parking-driver-charged-ps100-for-leaving-broomhill-rooftop-car-park-after-pay-machine-stolen-4789024

On finding Excel's pay machine had been removed at the Broomhill Rooftop site Mrs Swift made several attempts to pay by phone but all failed. Other motorists were experiencing the same problem.

She said “After approximately 15 minutes of trying to pay, I decided to leave.”

Her appeal was rejected by both Excel and the IAS as she didn't pay within 10mins.

A Morrisons store is on-site and urged customers who have a problem to approach them. A spokesperson said: “If a customer believes they may have an issue with their ticket, we would advise them to speak with our customer service team when parking."

Is this a winning point at court..the company falsley advertised payment methods?

New signs were added stating pay by phone only but the main original signs remain with instructions on how to pay at the meter and online still visible.

Bookends

"The only exception would be if its a charity or small one person independent, but the big corporates should be hit as hard as possible for taking on an unregulated parking company"

Agree with the idea about hitting the landowners but charities and one person independents shouldn't be let off They are equally gullible and equally at fault