Parking stories in the News/media

patient_dream

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81967475#Comment_81967475

I doubt the BPA GIVE A MONKEYS as long as they collect money from their rogue traders

I keep saying that the BPA is NOT fit for purpose, the same as the IPC

Government has failed to protect the public against the scam… maybe the CMA will show government what to do ?

Coupon-mad

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UPDATE

This particular 'scam' ticketing ruse operated by OPS has been ended by the landowner after complaints from the public and the affected businesses and all the appalling publicity. Hooray!

https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/people/victory-for-littlehampton-campaigners-as-unfair-shopping-parade-parking-fines-halted-7319123

Victory for Littlehampton campaigners as ‘unfair’ shopping parade parking fines halted

"In a video message to constituents on Thursday (April 23), Mrs Griffiths announced that she had secured a change after raising the issue directly with those responsible and in Parliament.

The landowner has now instructed the operator to stop issuing fines to people who park at Wick Parade but visit other nearby shops."

It's also in the Argus:

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/26049933.littlehampton-parking-fines-branded-surveillance-axed/

Littlehampton parking fines branded 'surveillance' axed

"Recent rules introduced at Wick Parade car park, in Littlehampton, were branded "surveillance", after shoppers reported being fined for visiting shops outside the parade, despite being located just metres away.

Alison Griffiths, MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, has since spoken with the owner of the land where the car park is located, who has instructed operator One Parking Solutions Ltd to stop issuing the charges.

Ms Griffiths said: "This was never about stopping sensible parking management. It was about fairness.

"Being hit with £100 charges for everyday shopping simply wasn’t right, and it’s why I took this straight to Parliament and to those responsible."

The Argus previously approached One Parking Solutions for comment regarding its policies at Wick Parade, but did not receive a response.

The company is based in Worthing and is rated 1-star on Google, from a total of more than 500 reviews.

In a statement obtained by the BBC earlier this month, One Parking Solution said the rules at the car park were clearly displayed and urged motorists to read signage before parking, adding that drivers could park elsewhere if they disagreed with the conditions.

In 2019, the company was told it would lose control of a retail car park in Peacehaven after businesses complained.

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Get out of Sussex, One Parking Solution Ltd. One day, when you eventually get banned by the DVLA, I will laugh my socks off…

🤣

Coupon-mad

Green Parking haven't lived up to naive expectations in Maidenhead:

There were high hopes locally in 2024:

https://www.bracknellnews.co.uk/news/24781578.new-temporary-car-park-opens-maidenhead-town-centre/

"The site is well lit with solar lighting, and meet-and-greet staff will be present at peak times.

The car park is accessible from the previous Broadway entrance.

Overnight parking is available for local residents and their guests from 5pm to 9.30am for £8.

The opening is expected to ease congestion and provide convenient parking options."

But - reportedly - that hasn't happened and the loudest complaints seem to be from Blue Badge holders who find the method to exempt their car as clear as mud.

Of course, disabled people are getting PCNs … because they always do when PPCs use remote ANPR systems. Set up for a fall, it seems, but the locals are making noise:

https://www.sloughexpress.co.uk/news/traffic-and-travel/705456/broadway-car-park-firm-responds-to-blue-badge-ticket-complaints.html?flip=true

Now people are boycotting the place due to the unclear system and unfair PCNs.

The BPA must be so proud.

Coupon-mad

Parking firms' greed and excessive (unchecked) camera surveillance continues to ensure there is no confidence among motorists in shopping in Supermarkets and other shops.

24/7 ANPR in the hands of private firms far exceeds the allowed (limited) use that councils have and the infestation of these greedy, anti-consumer third parties continues to damage any likelihood of consumers returning to high streets.

Yet another example: ParkingEye at an Aldi:

https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/26021522.readers-views-anpr-cameras-installed-ruabon-aldi/

"Many people have taken to social media in the last couple of weeks to warn others that they could well be hit with a £70 fine if they were not aware of the change made by Aldi and the car park management company.

The sign up in the carpark at Aldi, on Watkin Way, now states that customers have a one-and-a-half hour max stay. It also adds that there is 'no return' within four hours to the site. If shoppers are unaware, they could face a £70 'fine'.

Residents took to social media to slam what they are calling 'pure money making' with others vowing to boycott the site altogether and shop elsewhere."

The BPA must be so proud.

#private parking ANPR: ruining high streets and businesses near you.

Umkomaas

👆👆 It’s PE, not Britannia, @Coupon-mad.

Coupon-mad

Good point. Must have been reading two articles in quick succession!

🥴

Coupon-mad

And ANPR will also drive visitors away from the New Forest, where a new Group Nexus ANPR system has been inflicted on car park users.

Kerchiiing in the Summer! And I'm not talking about the £1.50 fee, which I have no problem with (goes to FE).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1452pek6peo

Interestingly, Forestry England has produced its own Code of Practice including 15 minutes consideration period:

https://www.forestryengland.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Forestry%20England%20Parking%20Code%20of%20Practice_2026%20%281%29.pdf

Worth remembering because it may help victims of Group Nexus who come here. The Parking Charge appears to be £50, proving yet again that car parks can certainly operate at that level & that Group Nexus consider £50 a credible deterrent in 2026.

Kaizen2024

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81975849#Comment_81975849

Just remove the [crazy] free parking concession for BB holders, problem solved.

Coupon-mad

A local Council has had so many complaints that they've had to step in after yet another Medical Centre was daft enough to allow an unfair system of ANPR & keypads.

These systems always catch out site users (in this case vulnerable patients), especially the elderly and any drivers waiting outside for passengers attending an appointment and who never see any t&cs, let alone a keypad:

https://harboroughfm.co.uk/council-seeks-meeting-over-gp-surgery-parking-changes/

"Harborough District Council is seeking talks with a GP surgery in Market Harborough after concerns were raised over new parking restrictions.

Two Shires Medical Centre recently introduced an ANPR system requiring patients to register their vehicle details or risk a £100 fine, in a move it says is aimed at preventing misuse of its car park.

A council spokesperson said: “The council was not made aware and had no advance knowledge of this change to car parking arrangements at the Two Shires Medical Centre. This issue is clearly causing community concern and as such we will seek a meeting with the practice to understand their concerns and what if any potential options they may be willing to consider.”

A spokesperson for Two Shires Medical Centre says the new parking enforcement system is designed to ensure patients, particularly older and more vulnerable users, can find spaces more easily.

They say the system includes a 20-minute grace period for short visits, with patients able to register their vehicle details for longer stays to avoid fines.

The practice also stresses that parking remains free for patients and chemist users, and that it does not receive any money from fines issued to unauthorised users.

Councillor David Page is to raise the issue with NHS bosses and said: “The statement from Two Shires Medical Practice does not reflect the experience of many patients. I attend the surgery myself and, in practice, parking availability has not been a consistent issue.

“If the primary concern is misuse of the car park by those attending nearby sporting or leisure facilities, that needs to be evidenced. Most organised activity takes place in the evening, typically after 18:30, and at weekends, when the surgery is closed. The problem described does not appear to align with actual usage patterns.”

“The principle that parking should be available for patients is not in dispute.

However, the system that has been introduced relies on patients remembering to register their vehicle during what is often a pressured visit. Many patients are unwell, elderly, or managing children. They are focused on their appointment, not on administrative steps.

The risk of unintended non-compliance is therefore high, and a £100 penalty in those circumstances is disproportionate.”

Well said.

Coupon-mad

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81975928#Comment_81975928

Nope because disabled people also have a legal right to extended time. A right that your industry refuses to recognise.

Even in a pay & display car park, disabled people are entitled - by law - to more parking time for the same fee paid by able bodied motorists. Councils have recognised this and many either offer blue badge holders 3 hours free as standard, or if imposing a fee they typically allow double time or an extra hour.

This was already in place since 2010 from some proactive councils but more followed, following your sector's 'convenient friend' Helen Dolphin of People's Parking* legal challenge against Norwich and Lincoln councils which forced them to do this:

https://www.wake-smith.co.uk/latest-news/news-archive/2011/06/20/Council-Car-Park-Case-Settled-A-Victory-for-Blue-Badge-Holders

Other councils have followed, e.g.

https://newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk/2011/10/extra-hour-for-blue-badge-holders/#:~:text=Related%20topics:%20Community,the%20formal%20changes%20considered%20necessary.%E2%80%9D

https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/7122/Council-confirms-one-hour-parking-grace-period-for-Blue-Badge-holders-to-be-introduced-soon#:~:text=News%20and%20communications-,Council%20confirms%20one%2Dhour%20parking%20grace%20period%20for%20Blue%20Badge,vibrant%2C%20well%2Dconnected%20communities.

Notably, 'in your pocket' PPCs' useful puppet Helen Dolphin didn't challenge private firms under the Equality Act despite it also applying to service providers.

Wonder why not, eh? Could it be her PPC connection or someone in the industry leaning on her?

*erstwhile connected to Gladstones (John Davies and Will Hurley):

http://parking-prankster.blogspot.com/2016/05/who-owns-peoplesparkingcouk-why-john.html?m=1