Parking stories in the News/media

Umkomaas

👆👆 A FoI to the DVLA for a month-by-month breakdown of keeper access requests should give a rough indication for what the newspaper is looking. 

Thorndorise

Nellymoser said:

Council-owned parking operator Ipserv is refusing to disclose the number of pcns it issued at Duke Street car park, stating its commercial interests outweigh public transparency, despite knowing that payment machines were broken.

https://www.ipswich.co.uk/articles/ipserv-refuses-to-disclose-number-of-parking-fines-at-duke-street-car-park

"The bottom line: The tension between commercial confidentiality and public accountability raises important questions about transparency in council-owned businesses".

"While Ipserv maintains it "takes customer fairness seriously" and provides "clear signage in our car parks with the contact details for our customer service team," the refusal to disclose basic data about fines issued during known fault periods makes it impossible for the public to verify whether the company's enforcement practices are fair."

"This creates a fundamental conflict between the company's commercial interests and the public's right to scrutinise services ultimately owned by local taxpayers".

This seems very naughty, and self-serving - surely if the council own the company that issue the tickets then they must provide the data - I'm not sure that hey can use this argument. It made me go away and check the latest KADOE requests, and it seems it hasn't been updated since Nov 2024! - seems to be lagging behind of late - what's going on?

Nellymoser

Oh never knew that document existed. Thanks @Thorndorise I'll take a look.

Yes, I think the newspaper was trying to highlight if the council were right to refuse FOI on these grounds. I guess it would be for the ICO to determine if the council's reason was valid or not.

Thorndorise

Nellymoser said:

Oh never knew that document existed. Thanks @Thorndorise I'll take a look.

Yes, I think the newspaper was trying to highlight if the council were right to refuse FOI on these grounds. I guess it would be for the ICO to determine if the council's reason was valid or not.

Link here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/who-dvla-shares-data-with

You can make some pretty charts with the data lol, in all seriousness, it helps to see volumes and who's scamming the most

Nellymoser

Horizon getting some bad publicity....

Horizon Parking Branded a “Scam” as Public Outcry Grows Over “Predatory” Tactics

Motorists reported being fined for genuine mistakes or issues outside their control, such as poor signage or technical errors.

https://www.crocels.news/2025/06/24/horizon-parking-ltd-branded-a-scam-as-public-outcry-grows-over-predatory-tactics/

Hundreds of reviews on public platforms tell a consistent story: fines issued despite valid payment, appeals rejected with little explanation, faulty machines ignored, and aggressive tactics used to chase payments—even when clear evidence is presented.

Horizon Parking has not issued any recent public statement addressing the allegations. Its CEO, Bernie Dickson, has been repeatedly named by reviewers, with some saying he “should be ashamed.”

Motorists are advised to be vigilant when parking at privately operated sites, especially those run by Horizon Parking Ltd. As one reviewer put it, “Do not park anywhere if you see the name Horizon Parking"

Coupon-mad

Nellymoser said:

Council-owned parking operator Ipserv is refusing to disclose the number of pcns it issued at Duke Street car park, stating its commercial interests outweigh public transparency, despite knowing that payment machines were broken.

https://www.ipswich.co.uk/articles/ipserv-refuses-to-disclose-number-of-parking-fines-at-duke-street-car-park

"The bottom line: The tension between commercial confidentiality and public accountability raises important questions about transparency in council-owned businesses".

"While Ipserv maintains it "takes customer fairness seriously" and provides "clear signage in our car parks with the contact details for our customer service team," the refusal to disclose basic data about fines issued during known fault periods makes it impossible for the public to verify whether the company's enforcement practices are fair."

"This creates a fundamental conflict between the company's commercial interests and the public's right to scrutinise services ultimately owned by local taxpayers".

The same applies with BHCC who persist in inflicting ex-clampers One Parking Solution (with £100 PCNs and no meaningful appeal mechanism) on various Brighton & Hove city sites for no valid or lawful justification IMHO.

The only difference is that BHCC don't own OPS. But they shouldn't even be using them. It may be - arguably - lawful on housing land ... but the site list includes a crematorium, offices, the beach promenade and some bays on public streets where Traffic Orders conflict.

Humdinger1

Welcome back from your well-deserved hols @Coupon-mad! A summer of excitement lies ahead Humdinger 

Coupon-mad

Another day, another double dip (illegal data) PCN cancelled 'as a goodwill gesture':

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/25269941.driver-chased-100-fine-car-elsewhere/

VARS Technology this time.

They actually BLAMED the motorist for 'failing' to provide within their arbitrary 10 day limit, her CCTV evidence that the car was elsewhere all day.

Coupon-mad

Next up, UKPC and DCB Ltd reportedly think it's morally acceptable to demand £170 from a dead woman:

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/6782020/grieving-aberdeen-man-fine-tim-hortons-car-park/

Jenni_D

Coupon-mad said:

Next up, UKPC and DCB Ltd reportedly think it's morally acceptable to demand £170 from a dead woman:

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/6782020/grieving-aberdeen-man-fine-tim-hortons-car-park/

Of course, nobody had to do anything with the toilet paper that was received as this was in Scotland. But having it arrive in his Mum's name will have been a shock.

This has echoes of an incident from my youth ... I had a Yamaha FS1E (bike-style moped) and skidded on some oil/diesel. That meant I lightly tapped a parked work van (whose bumper was already quite damaged). The worker came out, looked at it all and said "I'll speak with the boss, don't worry about it". The next thing I knew was receiving a letter through the post from their insurer claiming for a new bumper ... said letter received on the morning of my Mum's funeral!