Parking stories in the News/media

Half_way

Coupon-mad said:

But here's some good news, Smart Parking kicked out of a notorious Kendal pub car park:
https://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/23112932.kendals-duke-cumberland-pub-car-park-controversy/

OMG anyone local should go to this party!

"We didn't have the power to do anything but the staff have got a lot of flak and abuse from understandably unhappy customers, and it's damaged our trade quite a lot - people think we're in on it, but we don't get a penny.

"The Duke, like every pub, has had massive rises in bills but we can't pass that onto our customers as people can't afford it.

"On top of that, we're losing customers because they're getting parking tickets, and the pub is fighting for survival.

"So Punch has finally agreed and instructed Smart Parking to switch off the CCTV, which is scheduled for December 1, so the next day we're having a party to celebrate.

"Staff are going to be dressed up as parking tickets, there'll be some parking-related cocktails, we'll have a bonfire and throw in some effigies of cameras, etc, and a free shot for people who bring a parking ticket. 

"After that there won't be any formal ticketing - it'll be signed to say parking for customers only. "

Im sure that up until the switch off time a bin bag should be placed over the cameras to protect them

Snakes_Belly

Coupon-mad said:

But here's some good news, Smart Parking kicked out of a notorious Kendal pub car park:
https://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/23112932.kendals-duke-cumberland-pub-car-park-controversy/

OMG anyone local should go to this party!

"We didn't have the power to do anything but the staff have got a lot of flak and abuse from understandably unhappy customers, and it's damaged our trade quite a lot - people think we're in on it, but we don't get a penny.

"The Duke, like every pub, has had massive rises in bills but we can't pass that onto our customers as people can't afford it.

"On top of that, we're losing customers because they're getting parking tickets, and the pub is fighting for survival.

"So Punch has finally agreed and instructed Smart Parking to switch off the CCTV, which is scheduled for December 1, so the next day we're having a party to celebrate.

"Staff are going to be dressed up as parking tickets, there'll be some parking-related cocktails, we'll have a bonfire and throw in some effigies of cameras, etc, and a free shot for people who bring a parking ticket. 

"After that there won't be any formal ticketing - it'll be signed to say parking for customers only. "

Pubs have this the wrong way around they should see motorists that park on their car parks as potential customers. Place a yellow ticket on their windscreen that looks like a PCN but offers them a discount on a meal at slow times during the week.    

patient_dream

That's the most sensible idea so far Madam Snake for Prime Minister

95Rollers

Snakes_Belly said:

Pubs have this the wrong way around they should see motorists that park on their car parks as potential customers. Place a yellow ticket on their windscreen that looks like a PCN but offers them a discount on a meal at slow times during the week.    

I once went to clubbing when I was in my 20s. Parked my car in an empty DIY store carpark overnight close to the venue then came back to it in the morning seeing a bright yellow PCN on the windscreen! I'd checked the signage prior to leaving my car so was raging at this apparent stitch up! I took it off my windscreen and it was a flyer for a Festival designed to look like a PCN in the days where they'd deliberately try and make them look like Police/ Council  penalty notices! Nearly gave me a heart attack! I went from anger to relief and laughter within minutes!  I wish I still had it. Great marketing. 

Coupon-mad

Think this is a new one:
https://www.thesun.co.uk/motors/20397974/fine-parking-own-spot-wont-pay-dont-care/amp/

Hate linking to the Scum but the story came up on a Google search and is not online elsewhere.  Sorry.  Absolutely hated rag for any football fan like me.

Anyway this is about a residential car park.  Typically for the disgusting firms that infest such sites, NPM are pursuing known residents.  Course they are. The residents are the real targets.

Sitting ducks. Like shooting fish in a barrel.

"After his appeal was rejected, he was given extra time to contact/pay the amount due or appeal to the adjudicator. As stated in his email he had no intention of resolving the issue.

"We would be unable to retract the charge from the debt recovery company without incurring further costs."

..,really NPM?  REALLY?  How exactly?

Coupon-mad

And another:
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/couple-vow-boycott-retail-park-25500756.amp

Couple boycott retail park after double dip scam PCN.  ANPR failure yet again.

That'll help the High Streets recover, DLUHC...

...NOT.

Coupon-mad

HARTLEPOOL MARINA SCAM EXPOSED:
https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/people/hartlepool-marina-businesses-warning-to-motorists-after-void-transaction-tickets-lead-to-parking-fines-3914179

"At least 20” drivers at Hartlepool Marina car park, in Navigation Point, have been caught out after ticket machines started issuing “void transaction” receipts saying “parking ticket” at the top.

In one instance, an elderly couple were fined three times and decided not to return.

Northwest Parking Management, the company responsible for managing the car park, insists the receipts are not meant to trick people."

Fruitcake

Coupon-mad said:

And another:
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/couple-vow-boycott-retail-park-25500756.amp

Couple boycott retail park after double dip scam PCN.  ANPR failure yet again.

That'll help the High Streets recover, DLUHC...

...NOT.

So useless is ANPR that here's a tip:

If you ever worry that you may have overstayed at a 'free parking' retail park (but of course there's no way of checking so you are at the mercy of the PPC already) just drive out as normal then wait 5 or 10 minutes and drive back in, recording it on a securely wedged/propped up phone (or dashcam).

Stay 3 minutes then leave, again recording the drive out.  Obviously not holding your phone in your hand.

You have then used the double visit flaw in your favour and know full well that any PCN will be posted after using your first in/last out images. Because that's what ANPR defaults to, and PPCs fail to carry out any human checks (a breach of the ICO Surveillance camera code of practice but they don't seem to care).

100% provable that the PCN was wrongly given, if you film the second in/out and use it as evidence. The PCN is always going to be wrong.  You will win at appeal, even at IAS, due to the camera evidence.

Nothing at all wrong with this. You are of course perfectly lawfully entitled to return to a retail, beach, pub, or any publicly open car park and to film the drive in and out.  A passenger could do the phone filming.  You may need a date/time imprinter app on your phone or I think you can screenshot photos. 

Not sure how to do that with videos but I presume it's possible.

Apart from anything else it's one way to expose the scam of double dips.  It is the ANPR system and lack of mandatory 'human checks' of the ANPR data that cause double dip PCNs.

... as long as you don't trigger a "No return in X hours" PCN in the process.

Coupon-mad

Indeed, good point. Make sure your return is not breaching a 'no return' clause.

This is just about legitimately exposing double dip PCNs.  Only for robust drivers who object to being ripped off by dodgy ANPR images and want to fight back fairly.

I seem the recall the Parking Prankster used to get 'double visit' wrongful but automated PCNs deliberately, to expose the ANPR flaw that all in the parking industry know about but don't give two hoots about checking for.

foden11

https://www.lancs.live/news/uk-world-news/couple-vow-never-return-range-25501440  
A representative for Vehicle Control Services Ltd said: "We would invite Mrs Almond (or her husband) to formally appeal to us through our recognised appeals process and within the prescribed timescales. Details of how to appeal are set out on the reverse of the Parking Charge Notice she received. Once we receive an appeal we will review matters further." We all know the result of that?