Fined for 'overstaying 60 mins parking' whilst EV charging at Shell Wheatsheaf

tonyboland

Hi, i have a parking charge notice from Euro carparks at Shell Wheatsheaf near Virginai Water - in June 2024; for 'overstaying the allowed 60 minutes parking, whilst charging my car in a shell petrol station. I was parked to charge for approx 71 mins per the Charge Letter, and i only to use the charging, i didn't move the car until i left.

They say that I overstayed the time limit which they stay as 60 minutes, however the signage around the bays was not obvious at all; there are a few floor stand signs explaining how to charge, and 1 solo floor stand (not a 'sign'), stating that "Parking is for EVs only". There is a small '60 mins' image on a Petrol sign, crossed through it.. but it was not clear that I could only park there fore max 60 minutes.

I've challenged this with Euro Car parks and surprise surprise they rejected it and now i have to pay 100£.

I've done a lot of searching the car park on googlemaps street view, and the images from Apr 2023 provided by Street view are exactly as i recall from the time i parked there.

Euro Car parks have put other signs fully describing the "60 mins allowed for EV charging" (below image 2) on the opposite side of the petrol station from the Charging bays. I did not see these at all as i didnt park near them - and srove straight to the EV bays. There were no signs nearby the EV bays (image 1 below). And again, the floor signs that are near the EV bays really no not clearly indicate that you have a '60 minutes' limit.

I really need to know my rights and whether to fight this further, or to just roll over and pay the £100 fine. Could i fight this under the Beavis Argument, for 'inadequate signage'? Please help!!

LDast

tonyboland said:

I've challenged this with Euro Car parks and surprise surprise they rejected it and now i have to pay 100£.

Seriously? You don't HAVE TO PAY anything. Get that out of your mind. If any private company sends you an invoice, do you simply pay it? Of course you don't.

IS the NtK you received fully compliant with ALL the requirements of PoFA? Was the notification of the charge of £100 "adequately" brought to the attention of the driver?

The wording on the sign you have shown us suggests that if you weren't charging, you could have stayed for longer than 60 minutes. Ambiguity in a contract, CRA 2015... look it up.

Nobody pays ECP unless they are a fool and their money. Have you tried Plan A yet?

As a matter of interest, why would you need to spend over an hour on a rapid charger?

Coupon-mad

First step is complain to Shell.