Parking stories in the News/media

Nellymoser

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/cost-of-living/pensioner-slapped-9-parking-tickets-34211813

Eric 78, says that someone in another part of the country was using black tape to change the L on their car's plate into an E, meaning it then matched up with Eric's number plate.

Eric said the fines just would not stop, despite telling the police, DVLA, and Horizon Parking that he was not their man and had never visited the car park in question.

Eric told Consumer Group Which? "(I felt) frustration and disbelief that, in this day and age, I couldn't get the police or the DVLA interested enough to carry out action in a timely manner. Horizon Parking were just unavailable. I sent letters, emails, contested the PCNs, and yet they kept on coming."

It went from March to November to have this resolved.

Car1980

A bit of naivety unfortunately. Why would a private parking company stop churning out invoices on the basis of being told it's someone else's car with tape on it? From their point of view a 78 year old will just pay in the end to make them go away and is easy pickings.

Nellymoser

Sheffield shopping centre Fox Valley slashes free parking from 4hrs to 2hrs from 01 July, to keep spaces for ‘genuine customers’

A spokesman said: “Following a detailed review of how our car park is used, we’ve found that the majority of visits are under two hours.

“These changes are designed to help keep parking readily available for genuine visitors, make short everyday trips simple and free, and support our cafés and restaurants.”

Customers can still get four hours’ free if they validate their vehicle registration and spend more than £5 at one of four eateries: Ponti’s, Zorro Lounge, The Old George and Shackletons Gallery coffee house.

https://www.thestar.co.uk/business/consumer/sheffield-shopping-centre-fox-valley-slashes-free-parking-to-keep-spaces-for-genuine-customers-8770467

Coupon-mad

What about disabled people? No extension?

Le_Kirk

A spokesman said: “Following a detailed review of how our car park is used, we’ve found that the majority of visits are under two hours.

“These changes are designed to help keep parking readily available for genuine visitors, make short everyday trips simple and free, and support our cafés and restaurants.”

If "the majority of visits are under two hours" surely it is self policing and the change is purely to capture more unfortunate motorists who are spending more time and money in the shops/restaurants and use more time!

daveyjp

Correct. Data will show not enough people are staying 4 hours 5 minutes, but plenty are staying 2 hours 5 minutes, that's a potential revenue stream being missed.

Coupon-mad

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82058219#Comment_82058219

And the data comes from the parking firm, presented with a whole spiel about how reducing the time limit will 'improve footfall' and for shoppers who need more time, they'll put a (hidden and often broken) keypad on a desk somewhere … that they know isn't prominent and most customers will not see it.

AND THE RETAIL PARKS FALL FOR IT!

Le_Kirk

Went to my local last night, to be disappointed to see signs up by EZEE Park (apparently an IPC accredited firm - not heard of them before I read the signs last night). I asked the barman if I should put my inside leg measurement into the tablet as I had walked and had no car with me! I did ask why they felt it necessary to install ANPR in a car park that is more than adequate for the number of cars that visit - no response! I suspect the landlord fell for the PPC spiel. I pointed out the pitfalls and told them (I hope I am wrong in this case) that they will soon have no customers and will be closing down. There is no railway station nearby (8 miles away) and the local shops have their own parking arrangements (no PPC) and they even allow parents to park in the car park during pick up and drop off at the local primary school. I didn't want to say too much as I still want to drink there.

1505grandad

Would hate to think that a "bribe administration fee" was offered to the landowner (for each pcn issued) to participate in ripping off their customers/livelihood.

Car1980

A spokesman said: “Following a detailed review of how our car park is used, we’ve found that the majority of visits are under two hours.

You mean the graph showing how long people stay is an upside down U?

Colour me shocked.