Parking fine whilst charging an electric car

bob723

I found an electric charger to use provided by a company called ChargePoint https://www.chargepoint.com/en-gb
The charging location is advertised on their website.

I've used the charger several times. However, the last time I used it I received a parking fine of £60. I've paid the fine. The fine was issued by a company called One Parking Solution, who manage the area (the charger is a car park of a block of flats) and they said I was not registered to park there. I appealed but no luck (no suprise).

There are signs, which I've subsequently read in the car park saying it's private land and fines will be issued. Although it's not obvious.

My issue is that ChargePoint advertise this charging location available to the public. Other charging apps/websites e.g. Shell, RAW Charging also advertise this charging location when it's not available to just anyone to use.

I've contacted ChargePoint who say it's not their responsibility (the land the car parks on) and this is in their T&Cs.
I've also contacted Shell and they said "speak to ChargePoint".

Is this a widespread issue? I suspect many electric vehicle drivers get caught out by this. 
Who can I report this misleading advertising to?

Fruitcake

It is not a fine.
You should never have paid. That was silly and you stand little chance of recovering your money.

Had you found this forum and followed the advice here you would never have known how to deal with this unregulated parking company. Read the sticky Announcement for NEWBIES so you never make the same mistake again.

Plan A is always a complaint to the landowner and your MP. You could still try this and ask the landowner/CEO to instruct their agent (OPS) to reimburse you.
Loading/unloading/refuelling is not parking. The appeal case of Jopson v Homeguard applies.

About 9 million of these parking charges are issued per year, so yes, it is a widespread issue. 

Coupon-mad

It wasn't a fine. You were scammed and can't get that money back now.

No-one should pay One Parking Solution.

bob723

Thank you both for the replies 

Only just discovered this part of the forum so I didn't realise I shouldn't pay.

What's the best way to find out who the landowner is? I'm assuming OPS won't supply this.

Keep_pedalling

Can you give us an exact location of this charger please? It’s too late for you but it might be of use to other EV users.

bob723

Keep_pedalling said:

Can you give us an exact location of this charger please? It’s too late for you but it might be of use to other EV users.

Sure it's Chatsworth Square, Brighton and Hove, BN3 1WF
I've reported this location in multiple EV charging apps but none have removed it yet.

Umkomaas

Another location at which to be careful is any Lidl store with EV charging points. ParkingEye infest that site and give you a maximum of 90 minutes. With many EVs taking 2 hours + to charge, you will get a ticket there if you overstay your 90 minutes. Expect no help from Lidl in getting the charge overturned. 

What's the best way to find out who the landowner is?

Here's something I post quite regularly:

SOME IDEAS FOR DETERMINING WHO OWNS THE LAND 

1. Google searches

2. If a retail park, check on any signage which lists the on-site outlets

3. Ask retailers on the site if there is a managing agent

4. Ask retailers on the site to whom do they pay rent

5. Contact the local authority and ask who pays the non-domestic/business rate for the car park (some councils have a spreadsheet on their website)

6. Contact the local Valuation Office and ask if they know. They often have a website which might provide the information 

7. Contact The Land Registry and for around £3 they should be able to provide definitive detail

8. If you haven't already done so, give us the name of the car park/site/location, we may have seen other cases there. 

bob723

Thank you Umkomaas. I've done some Googling but no luck so far. Will go through your list. Cheers!

Coupon-mad

You won't get it refunded.  But a complaint is a good thing.

OPS are the private parking pariahs of Sussex, IMHO. I'm a Brightionian (ish ... West Sussex now) hence my seagull avatar.  I'm really sad when people don't know about them and pay OPS ex-clampers before coming here.  

Johnedwards421

I’m a carer I’m not the registered owner but I got ticket at Chatsworth court,I can’t see any information about charging bays,I’ve appealed just waiting.any advice?

Umkomaas

Johnedwards421 said:

I’m a carer I’m not the registered owner but I got ticket at Chatsworth court,I can’t see any information about charging bays,I’ve appealed just waiting.any advice?

Please start a brand new thread of your own with some more particulars of your parking event. Also, please show us - verbatim - what you said in your appeal please.

Have you read the NEWBIES FAQ Announcement yet - that explains the process you will need to go through in terms of dealing with your PCN?