Parking stories in the News/media

Coupon-mad

Yet another double dip, this time caused by ANPR (without adequate human checks, as always) used by Countrywide Parking, who wrongly claimed he had entered the Wickes car park at 16.28pm and left after 19.30pm:

https://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/people/i-fought-parking-fine-company-over-wrongful-ticket-and-won-my-appeal-but-i-also-want-an-apology-says-milton-keynes-motorist-5149592

The PCN victim (a Wickes customer) needed so many bags of soil that he had to make two trips to buy them. The first was just before 4.30pm and the second at 7.30pm and each time he stayed for only around 15 minutes.

He lodged an appeal, sending the company his Wickes receipts for his purchases at the two different times. He also offered evidence from his car tracker that showed him driving on public roads between the times Countrywide claimed he was parked.

Of course they had to cancel - NO APOLOGY - because they were caught out not bothering to check ANPR data. Not everyone would have all that evidence & footage.

Retail parks, supermarkets and the MHCLG please note: 24/7 unchecked surveillance isn't the way to encourage shoppers and create vibrant high streets...

Coupon-mad

This one is likely to be Civil Enforcement Ltd (as per usual wrecking patients' lives at GP surgeries) and the signs confirm it:



But this stupid surgery 'refused to name' the PPC like they think they have to protect the 'outrageous scammer' (Hansard):

https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/25190338.patients-receive-parking-fine-poole-gp-appointment/

Classic scam of expecting stressed patients to have to exempt themselves on every visit. This time the system 'had a glitch' apparently but even when it's working, it is manifestly unfair to place this sort of burden on patients and drivers dropping off and collecting them.

This surgery has fallen into the exact same trap as Yarm surgery, where the Doctors were left angry and powerless:

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=812074820923096&id=100063617558246

And they couldn't stop CEL even after seeking legal advice. Even worse, at first Yarm Surgery staff BLAMED the patients publicly ... which sounds very similar to this new surgery who are protecting the ex-clampers instead of their patients. They will regret this.

NAMED AND SHAMED:
The Adam Practice in Longfleet Road, Poole, Dorset.

This has got to stop - this system is completely inappropriate at at GP surgeries.

Sensitive areas including residents spaces, GP surgeries and disabled bays should never be run by remote camera surveillance because it targets the most vulnerable bay users and places an unfair burden on the consumer.

Coupon-mad

Another one, this time Smart Parking:

Ramsgate motorist slapped with £600 in fines after picking up friend from Belgrave Road ‘Dreamland’ car park says ‘it feels like entrapment’

https://theisleofthanetnews.com/2025/05/28/ramsgate-motorist-slapped-with-600-in-fines-after-picking-up-friend-from-belgrave-road-dreamland-car-park-says-it-feels-like-entrapment/

"A Ramsgate motorist who has been hit with six parking fine demands in a matter of days after picking up a friend at the ‘Dreamland’ car park off Belgrave Road says the lack of warning about a maximum 10 minute wait time “feels like entrapment.”

Dante Deluca says he did not park on any occasion but received five parking fines (all on the same day) and then a further fine this week for non-payment of parking fees for dates at the end of April. “I am surprised Dreamland is allowing (Smart Parking) to do this. What about people who are in there waiting to pick up kids who have been there all day spending their money or picking up people who have been to music events? I don’t think most people are able to do that in 10 or even 15 minutes.”

Issuing PCNs by post causes multiple PCNs.

Kaizen2024

Why would they advertise 10 minutes free parking if it’s not an option 🤦🏻‍♂️ Should have paid the tariff.

Coupon-mad

Kaizen2024 said:

Why would they advertise 10 minutes free parking if it’s not an option 🤦🏻‍♂️ Should have paid the tariff.

No because dropping off and picking up passengers isn't parking and never has been except in PPC World la-la land.

The only one where he should have paid the tariff - because he was parked - is where he said they stopped for 30 mins as a passenger needed to breastfeed a baby.

I see you are silent about the fact these were all stored up for a month then issued in a batch at the end of May. Are you honestly OK with that level of entrapment, covert filming and non-timely consumer notices?

Kaizen2024

They used the land and there is clearly an expectation for all users to pay for the privilege (it’s not a right as some people think).

I fail to see what difference it makes when the Notice is issued, apart from the POFA implications; the signs look pretty clear in the article so the driver was duly warned.

I didn’t notice anything about ‘covert filming’ but was only skim reading. Either way, its not ok to disrespect the wishes of a landowner just because you think no one is watching

ChirpyChicken

Kaizen2024 said:

They used the land and there is clearly an expectation for all users to pay for the privilege (it’s not a right as some people think).

I fail to see what difference it makes when the Notice is issued, apart from the POFA implications; the signs look pretty clear in the article so the driver was duly warned.

I didn’t notice anything about ‘covert filming’ but was only skim reading. Either way, its not ok to disrespect the wishes of a landowner just because you think no one is watching

Yet the parking industry has an issue when people get a landowner to cancel PCNs
You claim to be there to protect landowners but when they instruct cancellation you dont like it

You can not have it both ways.

Coupon-mad

Kaizen2024 said:

I fail to see what difference it makes when the Notice is issued, apart from the POFA implications;

You'll see what I mean in time. It makes a huge difference which I'm not going into here. In another place I will.

patient_dream

I doubt that when a landowner signs up with a PPC, they have no idea they are signing up to a money scammer ?  EVERYONE must remember the CEL and the CO-OP scandal
Landowbers BE WARNED ....... when you sign a contract with PPC, it will cost a fortune to get out of it, Pubs and many other outlests found this out to their peril .......  There is no such thing as a good PPC, the BPA / IPC operate money scammers

Landowners BEWARE, DO NOT GET SCAMMED YOURSELF

Nellymoser

Oh dear it's not a good look @Kaizen2024 to hide behind 'it's the Landowner's wishes' when the reality is it's what the PPC's wishes.

A bit more thorough reading you would have realised the Landowner of Dreamland car park stated it was their "understanding" that Smart Parking charges apply from entry to departure.” Not their wishes...Smart's wishes.

So many examples of this can be found. Just a few posts before we read about the Adam Practice in Poole telling the PPC "to review it's system, to ensure it is set to the correct timeframes it has in place for parking regulations". The PPC here was implementing their own wishes rather than those of landowner.

And we've seem landowners like Asda embarrassingly admit their PPC's (ParkingEye) expert system made an 'error' in changing evening/overnight parking time limits (for the 2nd time!).

We've seen unrealistic parking time limits set for size of the business. The landowner claims it ensures customers are able to park but their lie is exposed when business pods, a restaurant or coffee shop or car wash etc appear in their car park on "parking spaces rarely used and surplus to requirements". 

Why are we complaining to a PPC if as you say the PPC is acting on the Landowner's wishes. Complaints need to go to the Landowner and the MHCLG must insist their identity is known to persons parking on their land. From the recent MP debate it seems the Minister Alex Norris grasps the PP industry won't act on complaints unless it's from Ministers, MPs combined with widespread public outrage.