Parking stories in the News/media

patient_dream

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81987254#Comment_81987254

Like the BPA, the IPC have councils and members. In my view, councils who sign up to ATA's is a complete waste of tax payers money

Coupon-mad

Claims that private parking fines are driving away customers from beloved Aviemore hotel

https://www.strathspey-herald.co.uk/news/claims-that-private-parking-fines-are-driving-customers-away-433907/

"The Cairngorm Hotel recently introduced the restrictions which are signposted and policed by global parking management firm Smart Parking. The introduction of parking measures is one of several initiatives by the new owners which have not gone down well with regular customers.

Some hotel customers have said they have even been hit with £100 fines despite spending money on the premises. In one case, it is claimed a family meal ended up with a combined £400 parking fine for the different household members gathering together."

Happens all the time. The parking industry ruins other businesses daily.

Astonishing that the UK Government apparently seems blind to the effect on the high streets and good businesses of 24/7 unchecked night vision CCTV and ANPR that gives private parking firms excessive powers that even the Police don't have.

The IPC must be so proud.

Coupon-mad

Motorists have reportedly received car parking fines at Falkirk Central Retail Park despite being well within the four hour window.

https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/transport/camera-system-failure-drivers-reportedly-slapped-with-fines-for-no-reason-in-falkirk-retail-park-8501514

Falkirk Central Retail Park

This is (was!) a major shopping and leisure destination near the town centre covering over 400,000 sq ft. It features top retailers like Tesco, Dunelm, Next, M&S Food Hall, TK Maxx, Nandos, Pizza Hut, a Cineworld cinema, PureGym and Bannatyne Health.

The owners brought in changes to its car park management on Friday, March 27. At the time, a retail park spokesperson said:

"We’ve made this change to help improve traffic flow and make sure that shoppers have an enjoyable visit – whether doing the food shop or popping to the cinema."

LOL. What could possibly go wrong?!

One annoyed motorist said:

“The company that have parking cameras at the retail park are sending out £100 fines to hundreds of Falkirk residents for what is called ‘double dip’. This is where their cameras pick up the first entrance time of each vehicle, but miss the car leaving. The cameras then pick up the car leaving again later that day or even a few days later sometimes and a 'fine' is issued for it being over the four hour limit.”

Others on FB have complained that they had no idea that they had to enter their VRM to claim extended time, and the £100 PCNs are driving people away already.

PureGym have already had to warn its customers but can't protect them from this scourge by Group Nexus:

A 'no parking' policy at 5am, even though the gym is open. What exactly does that achieve except PCNs to gym users?

Well done Group Nexus.

The BPA must be so proud.

Coupon-mad

https://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk/news/26076478.anpr-cameras-100-fines-introduced-co-op-car-park/

A NEW pay-to-park scheme has been introduced at a Basingstoke car park used by GP patients, shoppers and community centre visitors.

Up to £100 fine for breaching a one-hour grace limit has sparked concerns that this is too short and could deter vulnerable people from accessing vital services.

Parkmaven Ltd has introduced charges at the car park in Broadmere Road, Beggarwood. The car park serves a small parade of local amenities, including a Co-op convenience store, a day nursery, a GP surgery, an estate agent and Beggarwood Community Centre.

Local representatives fear customers, parents and staff could now be put off from driving to the site if they risk a fine for stays of over an hour.

Concerns have been raised that the one-hour grace period is insufficient for patients who may face longer waits at the surgery, as well as for users of the community centre, which was built on the understanding that a free public car park was located next door. The centre hosts a range of clubs, societies and drop-in support sessions, and relies heavily on volunteers.

County Councillor Stephen Reid, who represents the area, has written to Parkmaven Ltd calling for urgent talks on how the impact of the charges can be mitigated. He said: "The car park is used by patients going to the GP surgery, which may require longer stays, especially if the doctors are running late.

The car park is also used by users, volunteers and staff at the community centre, where stays of over an hour may be needed. The car park itself is regularly used by visitors to Beggarwood Park who may walk their dogs, take their children to the play area, or just enjoy a walk - all activities which can last longer than the one hour grace period.

Cllr Reid added: "Members of the community should be encouraged to use the facilities, not discouraged. At Beggarwood, there are many clubs and societies using the building that may find their members staying away if they have to pay. It is perfectly reasonable for customers to stay longer than an hour if they are meeting friends and having something to eat. In addition, the community centre runs many drop-in sessions for people who look for support and companionship.

The Beggarwood Community Centre makes heavy use of volunteers and they may be put off if they have to pay to give their time for free. I believe there is a serious problem now."

Parkmaven Ltd has been approached for comment.

More communities ruined.

The BPA must be so proud.

nigelbb

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81989615#Comment_81989615

The article doesn't say who actually owns the car park. Parkmaven are a PPC & AFAIK don't own any car parks so the car park owner must have engaged them.

patient_dream

Re: the two stories from Coupon_mad above ……

Does government read this thread to fully understand the dangers to each Community whereby shops are closing, pubs are closing, in general businesses in general suffer because a PARKING SCAMMER / COWBOY operates

It follows that government will be the losers. NO VAT .. NO CORPORATION TAX ….. JOB LOSSES WITH AN INCREASE IN BENFITS … NO MORE COUNCIL TAX …. It's a slow and painful death all thanks to an industry that is out of control ?

I do not think that Supermarkets understand how much business they lose because customers shop where the cowboys do not operate. Pound for pound the cowboys RAKE-IN more than the companies who employ them.

And the landowners will lose money when the business closes, they lose the rent.

Government must wake up to this mega scam and certainly not listen to the propagabda fron the BPA/IPC.

I read on here that an MP said that parking companies were good for the community … WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH

We now await the result of the elections today …. someone somewhere must have the brains to put a stop to this scam

Jenni_D

Replace earn with rake in and your comment is perfect. 😗

patient_dream

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81990228#Comment_81990228

Have added that Jenni .. thanks

kryten3000

From the Falkirk story: "We’ve made this change to help improve traffic flow and make sure that shoppers have an enjoyable visit – whether doing the food shop or popping to the cinema."

You "pop" to the corner shop, not the cinema. It's not unusual to be in the cinema for over 3 hours, more if it's a Peter Jackson film.

Car1980

True. It also appears you can do the food shop OR pop to the cinema. You certainly can't do both!