Parking stories in the News/media

Coupon-mad

Jenni_D said:

Do hearings in the Court of Appeal set precedents? I know those in the Supreme Court do, but ..... is there not another level of court between Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court?

(I thought the Beavis case, for example, went through two precedent-setting courts - the last one being the Supreme court).

It went thru the Court of Appeal then the Supreme Court. Both are binding.

This case (VCS v Carr) has been appealed to the correct court by the best person who could have done this.

I say he's the 'best person' as someone who watched a supposed 'experienced barrister' completely mess up the Appeal in OPS v Wilshaw. Literally ANY of us who lay rep PPC cases would have done it better.

That hearing was excruciating: a drowning barrister. An easily led Circuit Judge.

With parking, you need the 'knowledge'. You need to be able to read the room and pull rabbits out of hats which we can do. Jackson Yamba can do that purely because he knows the subject better than any other barrister.

If I had a parking case going to any level of appeal that required a barrister I'd use Jackson Yamba because it's all about the knowledge.  I WOULD NEVER AGAIN APPOINT A BARRISTER WITH NO PARKING LAW KNOWLEDGE.

I still kick myself over the Wilshaw case. Wrong barrister. That's the difference.

I'm also remembering some of the embarrassing 'rabbit in headlights' stuff at the Supreme Court from the 'experienced' barrister who couldn't even correct their Lordships when they chewed over the importance of parking management in protecting disabled bays etc.

You or I would have said "your honour, ANPR does the opposite of protecting accessible bays..."

All power to Jackson Yamba's elbow.

Jenni_D

ChirpyChicken said:

Court of appeal.....

Repeating those 3 words didn't actually answer my question. 🤦‍♀️

Thankfully C-m has.  

ChirpyChicken

He has had permission granted to appear on behalf of the applicant by the court as he wouldn't normally have rights to do this

Coupon-mad

The latest media furore is gathering traction about the p&d machines that prompt drivers to 'now press buttons and pay' BEFORE the full reg has been input:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-14452389/Drivers-badly-need-Government-code-conduct-parking-firms.html

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said what is happening to users of Syston Town Square car park in Leicestershire shows the industry’s code of practice “isn’t working”.

The FB Group of over 100 victims of Euro Car Parks at is found when you search FB for:

Syston Town Square action group (behind b&m)

Their posts include a video of the machine displaying different digits than are typed!

Nellymoser

And here's another one....

Investigation into number of PCNs being given by Euro Car Parks to country park users in Kent

A reporter investigates the allege major keying error after a series of calls and emails from upset readers who told her it’s not them, the machine issues a ticket halfway through inputting your registration number, or the keypad is overly sensitive keying in additional unwanted letters or numbers.

"Surely, it can’t be the case this many people can’t use the machines? Either way, I believe a review into whether the equipment is fit-for-purpose should be undertaken - if only to build back some trust with the county’s country park users."

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/i-d-rather-go-to-prison-than-pay-140-euro-car-parks-fine-320781/

Coupon-mad

 

And here's another one....

Investigation into number of PCNs being given by Euro Car Parks to country park users in Kent

A reporter investigates the allege major keying error after a series of calls and emails from upset readers who told her it’s not them, the machine issues a ticket halfway through inputting your registration number, or the keypad is overly sensitive keying in additional unwanted letters or numbers.

"Surely, it can’t be the case this many people can’t use the machines? Either way, I believe a review into whether the equipment is fit-for-purpose should be undertaken - if only to build back some trust with the county’s country park users."

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/i-d-rather-go-to-prison-than-pay-140-euro-car-parks-fine-320781/

The FOI figures there are GREAT evidence.

Thanks Nellymoser

Nellymoser

Solihull pensioner's dispute with Euro Car Parks over a keying error into it's third year

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/solihull-dad-lives-fear-over-31077599?int_source=amp_continue_reading

Mr Nichols got a fine after he incorrectly input part of his registration number (did he?) although his registration was still recognisable he was charged £100.

The BPA CoP states where the correct registration was still recognisable the PCN must be cancelled so why did ECP not do this?

Mr Nichols said "his wife is frightened to death, she doesn't want to go anywhere. Two weeks ago we wanted to go to Stratford-upon-Avon but she said no because of the parking."

"She's frightened about parking anywhere now, we don't go out as much and she's still worried that bailiffs are going to knock the door."

Coupon-mad

So sad.
      

Coupon-mad

Have we seen this Excel Parking shameful case? Gym user sued for two PCNs:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3e3zg9vjvqo

"A man said challenging a £500 parking charge has disrupted his studies.

Dan Garrett, from Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire, received two parking charge notices from Excel Parking Ltd after visiting the Energie Fitness car park in Kettering in May and June 2024.

He said he entered his car registration at the gym, which provides members four hours of free parking instead of the standard 90 minutes, and was charged £516.88.

The parking company said Mr Garrett failed to provide any evidence he was a member of the gym. 

Mr Garrett said: "The process has stressed me out a lot. It's damaged my open university studies as I've been so drained by this. 

"But I'm not willing to give up and pay because I've been treated unfairly."

Mr Garrett added he was unable to provide evidence or appeal immediately due to system errors at the gym, poor communication with Excel Parking, and being informed by the company that appeals would not be accepted...

"This ordeal has completely thrown me off," he said, adding he no longer attended the gym because of the stress of the situation.

Coupon-mad

Next up,

ParkingEye have inflicted a new system which generating £100 PCNs like hotcakes and is reportedly driving people away from a Doncaster Shopping Centre:

https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/people/angry-shoppers-blast-frenchgate-after-being-stung-with-ps100-parking-fines-5005845

Last month, eagle-eyed shoppers spotted a rise in charges to park at the shopping centre. New rates were introduced, seeing a raft of changes in costs for drivers.

Now angry shoppers have hit out at Doncaster’s Frenchgate shopping centre after being stung with parking fines – saying that they paid to park.

Complaints seen by the newspaper include:

"I will never use the Frenchgate for parking again and a lot of others have said the same. They are robbing people.”

And another said: “I have just received a £100 fine for parking on the new system they have installed.”

While another added: “I’m in the same boat, seven fines coming my way and already received two."

ANPR isn't fit for purpose in the hands of private firms. Restrict its use, MHCLG.