Parking stories in the News/media

Nellymoser

Newquay Airport is fielding dozens of queries from puzzled or angry customers since switching to Initial Parking management system.

One frequent airport user is fuming after receiving a pcn despite paying what she was asked to pay by the payment machine.

"It said £2.50 on the screen so I paid £2.50. How could I possibly know I have to add more time using the up and down arrows?

"Surely with the ANPR cameras in place, the machine should know exactly how long you have been there and ask you to pay the right amount." 

"It's a pay-on-exit car park but with a ticket machine designed for paying on arrival. If that's the set up then it's deceitful. I think it's a scam."

She said "The airport had a company that was very straightforward before switching to Initial Parking, and there were no issues. Perhaps it's time they switch back."

The airport said it has received a lot of feedback from users since moving to Initial Parking. Following a review the ticket machines will change so that they will calculate the cost of parking for customers. 

Our focus is making sure the system is fair, transparent and as straightforward as possible for everyone using the airport."

Pity that's not Initial Parking's focus.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/newquay-airport-traveller-fined-despite-paying-for-parking-ticket/ar-AA1O7M95

Nellymoser

"I just thought 'what a cheek' - it is ridiculous only being 15 minutes over, given my condition" said a blue badge holder from Bishop Auckland who received £90 pcn after shopping at Lidl.

The woman who has a serious lung condition which makes her slower, less mobile and everyday tasks more time-consuming has criticised the parking charge from ParkingEye and their car park time limit.

"I have a Blue Badge which should give you three hours in a car park, but I just think that the system is flawed as there is clearly not enough time allowed for someone to shop in here - no circumstances or Blue Badges are taken into account."

PE said: "the car park is for customers only and has a maximum parking period of 90 minutes, with the rules also applying to Blue Badge holders."

They encourage the woman to use the appeal process and provide evidence they were a genuine shopper and a Blue Badge holder.

“It's only by using the appeals process that mitigating circumstances can be evidenced and fairness and understanding shown."

If PE was fair and understanding their car park management would give Blue Badge holders longer time limits.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/bishop-auckland-blue-badge-holder-050000209.html

Umkomaas

Nellymoser said:

"I just thought 'what a cheek' - it is ridiculous only being 15 minutes over, given my condition" said a blue badge holder from Bishop Auckland who received £90 pcn after shopping at Lidl.

The woman who has a serious lung condition which makes her slower, less mobile and everyday tasks more time-consuming has criticised the parking charge from ParkingEye and their car park time limit.

"I have a Blue Badge which should give you three hours in a car park, but I just think that the system is flawed as there is clearly not enough time allowed for someone to shop in here - no circumstances or Blue Badges are taken into account."

PE said: "the car park is for customers only and has a maximum parking period of 90 minutes, with the rules also applying to Blue Badge holders."

They encourage the woman to use the appeal process and provide evidence they were a genuine shopper and a Blue Badge holder.

“It's only by using the appeals process that mitigating circumstances can be evidenced and fairness and understanding shown."

If PE was fair and understanding their car park management would give Blue Badge holders longer time limits.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/bishop-auckland-blue-badge-holder-050000209.html

This is the typical misunderstanding of the Blue Badge scheme (and private parking firms lie in wait!).

Bazarius

When Disabled Lidl’s customer lodge an appeal to ParkingEye with  proof of blue badge - they normally accept the appeal and automatically add them to the whitelist to be exempt from the time restrictions for a period of 2 years .  

Whether that exemption is for that particular store or nationwide I don’t know ….

ChirpyChicken

Bazarius said:

When Disabled Lidl’s customer lodge an appeal to ParkingEye with  proof of blue badge - they normally accept the appeal and automatically add them to the whitelist to be exempt from the time restrictions for a period of 2 years .  

Whether that exemption is for that particular store or nationwide I don’t know ….

Site code specific 

Car1980

Umkomaas said:

Nellymoser said:

"I just thought 'what a cheek' - it is ridiculous only being 15 minutes over, given my condition" said a blue badge holder from Bishop Auckland who received £90 pcn after shopping at Lidl.

The woman who has a serious lung condition which makes her slower, less mobile and everyday tasks more time-consuming has criticised the parking charge from ParkingEye and their car park time limit.

"I have a Blue Badge which should give you three hours in a car park, but I just think that the system is flawed as there is clearly not enough time allowed for someone to shop in here - no circumstances or Blue Badges are taken into account."

PE said: "the car park is for customers only and has a maximum parking period of 90 minutes, with the rules also applying to Blue Badge holders."

They encourage the woman to use the appeal process and provide evidence they were a genuine shopper and a Blue Badge holder.

“It's only by using the appeals process that mitigating circumstances can be evidenced and fairness and understanding shown."

If PE was fair and understanding their car park management would give Blue Badge holders longer time limits.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/bishop-auckland-blue-badge-holder-050000209.html

This is the typical misunderstanding of the Blue Badge scheme (and private parking firms lie in wait!).

Yep. But because there is a "default" you could argue that a contractual term saying otherwise must be especially prominent.

Such as if double yellow lines mean no parking for anyone, they must make it blatantly obvious that blue badge holders are not exempt.

But you don't make money from that - only by sticking the old "blue badge holders are not exempt" in the small print.

Half_way

ANPR cameras used to generate parking charge notices should only be used if they can detect that an occupant of a vehicle has a protected characteristic/disability without the occupants of the vehicle having to register, go on a whitelist or any other such nonsense that able bodies people dont have to do. 

TomOrrow

ChirpyChicken said:

pinkelephant12 said:

On Tuesday 21st October 2025 at 4.30pm there will be a debate in Parliament about the draft Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (Definition of Relevant Land) (Amendment) Order 2025 which is intended to make station car parks ‘relevant land’ under PoFA.

https://committees.parliament.uk/event/25339

The draft statutory instrument is here:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2025/9780348274721/contents

Make it easier to beat apcoa pcns

Just viewed, and a further insight into Parliamentary process.
I heard the definite thud of the rubber stamp at the end off this brief reading of statements.
Not much of a debate.

I'm left with the Labour bringer of the proposal believing the current process under POFA has an independent appeals mechanism!!
His reply to the point below avoided answering the sensible suggestion .

At least the Conservative official spokesman (Greg Smith, Mid Bucks) described the dangers of bad PPCs to the motorist, and was wary of bringing more motorists into their reach. He wanted to hold the legislation until the consultation on Parking Code of Practice was published.

And Olly Glover (LD, Didcot & Wantage)  echoed these concerns. I felt he at least spoke for the motorist with his background.
https://www.libdems.org.uk/mps/didcot-and-wantage

Nellymoser

Certainly wasn't much of a debate some present seemed more interested in looking at their mobile phones! The Conservative MP certainly talked a lot of sense. 

kryten3000

Nellymoser said:

PE said: "the car park is for customers only and has a maximum parking period of 90 minutes, with the rules also applying to Blue Badge holders."

This is a clear breach of the Equality Act 2010.  Many disabled drivers can take a significant time just to exit and enter the vehicle, let alone get round the shops.  Another reason ANPR is not fit for purpose.