Author Topic: Proof that ANPR cameras in car parks don't work  (Read 281315 times)

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Re: Proof that ANPR cameras in car parks don't work
« Reply #285 on: 16 June, 2022, 05:23:18 PM »
#246

Drivers fined as Durham car park camera 'misses them leaving'

15 June 2022


The number plate recognition camera is high up on the side of a building

Drivers charged for parking too long in a car park say they left on time but the monitoring camera missed it.

A limit of two hours' free parking was introduced at Cheveley Park Shopping Centre in Belmont, Durham, in January.

Resident Linda Parkin said, since then, hundreds of drivers had been charged £60 because the camera thinks "the car was there and it definitely wasn't".

Smart Parking said the system it managed "strictly follows British Parking Association (BPA) guidelines".

"Hundreds of people use the car park every day without any issue," a spokesperson said.

Drivers say the camera misses departures when another car leaving at the same time blocks its view of the registration plate.

Mrs Parkin said her husband had received three letters claiming he had exceeded the limit by between 12 minutes and three hours 25 minutes.

But he knew they were wrong because he visited three times every day for the same specific tasks.

"He's never there any more than 15 minutes but the camera picked him up going into the car park but not leaving," she said.

"He couldn't possibly have been there" between his first visit to buy a newspaper and his second visit at lunchtime because, at that time every day, they walk their dog in a park four miles away, she said.


Drivers say the camera's view of cars leaving is easily blocked by other cars leaving the car park

Mrs Parkin said many older drivers had paid the penalty, which increases to £100 if not paid within 14 days, because they "don't want the hassle of arguing with the parking company" or were not able to fill in the appeal form online.

Her husband has appealed against his tickets and the first and last had been cancelled. The Parkins do not know why the second has not.

"I'm very, very annoyed about it," she said.

Smart Parking said its appeals process was BPA-audited and it encouraged drivers to "contact us if they feel there are mitigating circumstances".


Residents say there is no need for a time limit as the car park is rarely full

Another driver, Sarah Anderson, received a letter from the company saying she had parked for six hours, but the pictures it included as evidence of her arrival and departure were of two different cars.

"I appealed and it was overturned but only as I spotted their mistake," she said.

Parish councillor Kimberley Noble said she received a ticket after going in the morning to buy milk and returning in the afternoon for bread.

"It said we parked there for seven hours," she said.

"A lot of elderly people rely on their cars to get to the shops - some are that petrified of a ticket that they are now using the bigger shops rather than our local shops."


No-one is disputing the signage is clear

The centre's landlord, LCP, said it had advised motorists receiving incorrect fines to contact Smart Parking, whom it had asked to investigate each parking charge notice (PCN) reported.

The two-hour limit was intended to ensure parking availability but was being reviewed, a spokesperson said.

PCNs issued by private parking companies are an invoice and not a fine like a penalty charge notice - also shortened to PCN - which is legally enforceable by the police or local authorities.

As a civil claim they can be passed to debt recovery agents if not paid but agents have no legal enforcement powers unless the parking company takes the matter to court and wins.

Lynn Douglas, who overran the time limit by 16 minutes while working at one of the businesses, is now receiving demands for £170 from debt collection agents.

She said she had "lost track" of the number of letters and was now "getting threatened with court", she said.


One business owner said shoppers were parking in the back lane to avoid the car park

The owner of the business, who did not want to be named, said her takings had dropped by about 40% because "customers are frightened to come" and she was worried some shops might be forced to close.

"The local community are boycotting the car park," she said.

The landlord introduced restrictions to stop "people using it as a park and ride but they've got no evidence to say that was ever happening - it never happened", she added.

Some businesses are able to log exemptions if their customers have to stay longer than the permitted time period, but proof was required for appeals and collecting this was time consuming, she said.

One elderly shopper had paid five charges "because he doesn't know what else to do and he's so frightened" and another paid the charge after being threatened with court action, she said.

"She was so frightened and intimidated that she felt she had no choice but to pay," she said.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-61736566

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Re: Proof that ANPR cameras in car parks don't work
« Reply #286 on: 22 June, 2022, 07:45:08 AM »
Well doesn't this just wrap it up in a nutshell:

The owner of the business, who did not want to be named, said her takings had dropped by about 40% because "customers are frightened to come" and she was worried some shops might be forced to close.

Ultimately if the landlord thought it was a good idea to get into bed with the parking predators, they will loose in the long run as the shops suffer and close...
Willing to do my bit...

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Re: Proof that ANPR cameras in car parks don't work
« Reply #287 on: 04 July, 2022, 01:17:22 PM »
#247

'It is a cash cow' - vicar's warning after being slapped with parking fine

Aaron McMillan
Published: 6:30 AM May 26, 2022 Updated: 9:54 AM May 26, 2022



Ken Hobbs was issued a PCN issued by Civil Enforcement after parking at The Port of Wells car park in Wells

A vicar has warned fellow drivers against using the car park which resulted in him being slapped with a £60 fine.

Ken Hobbs, a semi-retired reverend from Attleborough, was hit with a parking charge notice (PCN) after using the Port of Wells car park last month.

The site, managed by Civil Enforcement, charges £1 for anyone wishing to park their car on the quayside after 6pm.

Rev Hobbs maintains he paid the required fee having arrived after 6pm on April 21, but his subsequent appeal was rejected.

The notice said he had not paid "in accordance with terms displayed on signage".

Rev Hobbs has, therefore, ended up paying 60 times the original charge.

Civil Enforcement failed to respond to this newspaper's request for comment.

“I protested it, they rejected it," said Rev Hobbs. "I paid up, but I want people to know my experience.

“I thought to myself 'are they really protesting over a pound?'. Who would not pay a pound for a parking space? It is peanuts."

“I thought appealing was the best I could get out of it, but sadly the system is not geared towards certain circumstances or people’s welfare. They are out to get you; it is a cash cow for these people.”

Mr Hobbs, who is now the vicar at St John's in Stoneleigh, Surrey, had noticed the car park's terms a day prior to stopping there.

He met friends for a meal in Wells, before leaving at 8.25pm.

The 75-year-old did not get a receipt, but said the coin slot had opened up after he entered his Kia’s registration plate.

Rev Hobbs suspects the machine did not take into account the reduced parking fee applicable after 6pm, or that its internal clock had not adjusted.


Ken Hobbs, a semi-retired reverend from Attleborough, was fined after parking in Wells

After receiving his PCN, he wrote to the Port of Wells but did not hear back. He was contacted by North Norfolk MP Duncan Baker, who was sympathetic to his situation.

Rev Hobbs is now intent on warning others against parking in the same location - and he is not the first to be stung there.

In April, two other motorists spoke out after they were penalised following a visit to Wells.

Rev Hobbs said he plans to park on the outskirts of Wells in future, before walking or cycling into town.

https://www.fakenhamtimes.co.uk/news/vicar-fined-after-parking-in-wells-8994812

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Re: Proof that ANPR cameras in car parks don't work
« Reply #288 on: 04 July, 2022, 01:31:20 PM »
#248

'Unjust and unfair' - drivers' fury after being slapped with parking fines

Aaron McMillan
Published: 6:22 PM April 1, 2022 Updated: 7:32 AM April 6, 2022



Phil Doig (pictured) from Salhouse, near Norwich, was handed a PCN after parking at Port of Wells car park, alongside Ian Ascough.

Motorists have hit out at a firm which slapped them with triple-figure parking fines in a coastal town - with one vowing never to visit again.

Phil Doig and Ian Ascough were handed separate parking charge notices (PCN) after visiting Wells in January.

They had both chosen to park their vehicles at the Port of Wells car park, managed by Civil Enforcement Ltd, but discovered the payment machine was not accepting debit cards.

Mr Ascough said his wife had initially attempted to source some change, but the couple eventually decided to park elsewhere.

Having obtained cash of his own, Mr Doig paid for parking before leaving - but not within the necessary 15-minute period stated in the car park's terms and conditions.

While a spokesman for Civil Enforcement confirmed Mr Doig's fine was issued due to a breach of the T's and C's - which are displayed in its car parks - the company has since cancelled the PCN.

The firm did not to respond to a request for comment in relation to Mr Ascough's fine.

Mr Ascough, who is originally from Canada, had travelled 120 miles from Hertfordshire to visit Norfolk with his wife and dogs on January 2.



He claims to have tried four bank cards - on two separate ticket machines - to pay for the parking, while his wife queued in a shop to get change.

But they eventually cut their losses, returned to the car and drove on towards Wells beach.

Mr Ascough added that his car was in the car park for 17 minutes and 45 seconds before departing. He has since disputed the PCN, but was unsuccessful.

“During the appeal process, I appealed for some common sense, some humanity and some understanding," he said.

“This was the first time I went to Wells, and it will probably be the last.


Ian Ascough said he is unlikely to return to Wells following the incident.

“I feel sorry for the local businesses as I am not going back there because of this car park management.”

Mr Ascough is determined to continue challenging the penalty for as long as it takes, claiming that it is "not justified, not fair, and not English."

He added: "I moved to England because of decency and fair play, and this does not feel like that.”

In February, the government announced plans to crack down on private parking firms to protect drivers from extortionate charges, introducing a new code of practice.

Until then, most PCNs were £60 but rose to £100 if not paid within a certain time period, but that has now been reduced to either £70 or £50 depending on the seriousness.

Companies which breach the code could be barred from collecting fines from motorists.

Mr Doig, from Salhouse, near Norwich, also attempted to use multiple cards to try and pay for parking in Wells, but to no avail.


Phil Doig from Salhouse, near Norwich, was handed a PCN after parking at Port of Wells car park.

Despite being successful in his appeal, he believes Civil Enforcement’s methods are unfair.

He said: “I just thought it was a shoddy way to treat people with the wording on the invoice like ‘we have the evidence, you are guilty’. Any poor soul is going to be £60 or £100 down.

 “They just seemed so intimidating for such a lovely place, and it's a shocking way to treat people.”

On Mr Doig’s case, the spokesman for Civil Enforcement said: “The parking charge notice was issued because there was a breach of the terms and conditions of parking, which are clearly set out on signs within the car park.

“The driver appealed and the PCN was cancelled as a gesture of goodwill.


The Port of Wells car parks, by Wells Harbour.

“The driver complained they did not have cash on them to pay and couldn’t make payment within 15 minutes. An alternative ‘phone and pay’ system is available to make payment remotely, but the driver did not attempt to use this method.

Moreover, Mr Doig questioned why the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) was handing out drivers' personal details - believing it to be a breach of date protection rules.

But a spokesman for the DVLA said: "We take our responsibility to protect people’s personal information seriously and have robust measures in place to make sure data is used correctly.

“All private parking companies requesting vehicle keeper information must be a member of an Accredited Trade Association and operate within a code of practice that treats the motorist fairly."

https://www.fakenhamtimes.co.uk/news/drivers-slam-wells-parking-fines-8799260

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Re: Proof that ANPR cameras in car parks don't work
« Reply #289 on: 04 July, 2022, 01:39:19 PM »
#249

NHS staff are being fined for parking at their own health centre

Parkingeye is issuing tickets to them because cameras monitoring a nearby Aldi have been set up wrongly


Parkingeye has failed to resolve the problem for several months.

Anna Tims
Wed 25 May 2022 07.00 BST


NHS staff are being issued with £70 parking charge notices (PCNs) for parking at a medical centre during their shifts. The problems began months ago when a newly built Aldi employed an enforcement company, Parkingeye, to manage its car park next door to the Purbeck health centre in Milton Keynes. The automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera at the entrance to Aldi has been set up with an unnecessarily wide range so that it photographs vehicles turning into the adjacent NHS site. The Aldi store manager and Parkingeye have been made aware of this and ensure the tickets are cancelled when contested, but not everyone will know to appeal and some staff have been sent several PCNs. Aldi blames Parkingeye and Parkingeye customer service is unable to arrange repositioning of the camera.
KH Chertsey, Surrey


The Aldi opened in December, so Parkingeye has had five months to sort its cameras out. Initially, Aldi told me that staff at the health centre, which includes a dentist, two specialist clinics and a GP surgery, should log their vehicle registration numbers at the Aldi store to prevent future PCNs. When I pointed out that it was unreasonable for drivers to have to register with a unconnected third party for permission to park in their own car park, it confirmed that the ANPR camera had now been adjusted so that only vehicles entering the Aldi premises would be captured. Parkingeye was contacted for a comment.

Earlier this month I reported on an enforcement firm pursuing food-bank users and volunteers for charges of up to £170 when they parked in the food bank’s own car park. Management companies prevent abuse of private parking spaces, but extortionate charges and heavy-handed tactics have prompted a government crackdown. In February, plans were announced to cap most private parking charges at £50 and to require reasonable grace periods before PCNs were issued. Although private parking charges mimic council PCNs, they are invoices, not fines. Motorists who feel they have been unfairly issued with one should complain before paying the enforcement company or the landowner. If that fails, they can take their case to the Independent Appeals Service or POPLA, depending on which dispute resolution scheme the firm subscribes to.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/may/25/nhs-staff-are-being-fined-for-parking-at-their-own-health-centre

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Re: Proof that ANPR cameras in car parks don't work
« Reply #290 on: 14 July, 2022, 07:11:44 AM »
#250

Smart Parking under fire after Gosport Blue Badger holder fined £20 over 'discriminatory' ticket machine

A BLUE badge holder has been fined £20 for incorrectly entering her number plate into a ‘discriminatory’ ticket machine.

By Toby Paine
Sunday, 10th July 2022, 11:17 am
Updated
Sunday, 10th July 2022, 11:17 am


The company Smart Parking has come under fire from a Gosport Borough councillor for its ‘unfair’ parking policies.

Cllr Alan Durrant said one of his constituents used the Gosport Community Association car park and was fined for ‘getting one digit wrong’ when typing her registration number into the ticket machine.

The resident, who is believed to be an elderly woman, was sent a parking charge notice of £60 for the typo which was reduced to £20 after an appeal.



Cllr Durrant said it was ‘beyond the pale’ for a community centre to not have free blue badge parking.

‘You have a hospital next door that has free parking for blue badge holders but this community centre has none.

‘She paid the full fee for the whole day but because she got one digit wrong on her registration they fined her anyway.

‘I appealed on behalf of this lady to say that this is unfair and discriminatory but they stand by the charge.

‘They reduced it to £20 but for a pensioner who’s disabled, it’s too much to pay to get one digit wrong considering she’s already paid the full fee for the parking.

‘These machines discriminate against older people who may have sight difficulties or memory problems that make simple mistakes occur.

‘At Queen Alexandra Hospital they do the same sort of thing but for disabled people and blue badge holders you don’t have to insert your registration.’

The resident has until July 8 to pay the fine.

Smart Parking were approached for comment.

https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/people/smart-parking-under-fire-after-gosport-blue-badger-holder-fined-ps20-over-discriminatory-ticket-machine-3762806

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Re: Proof that ANPR cameras in car parks don't work
« Reply #291 on: 14 July, 2022, 07:19:42 AM »
#251

Newtown McDonald's customers given parking fines for BP garage in Potters Bar

15th June 2022
By Anwen Parry


McDonald's restaurant in Newtown and the Potters Bar parking fine (inset)

McDonald's has apologised to some of its Newtown restaurant customers who were incorrectly hit with £100 fines for parking hundreds of miles away near London.

The fast food chain said a "software issue" with its parking contractors was to blame after customers parked in Newtown were sent parking fines claiming that they had overstayed their welcome at another car park – at a filling station in Hertfordshire.

Some customers thought they were being scammed after receiving a letter from MET Parking Services saying they had exceeded the maximum permitted stay at BP South Mimms in Potters Bar near London on Friday, May 27 and Saturday, May 28.

None of the customers were at BP South Mimms, Potters Bar at the time but they were at the McDonald's restaurant in Pool Road, Newtown.

Sharon Owen, from Newtown, thought the cameras had been hacked when she received the fine. She said: "If they wrongly handed out fines, then that is really poor show because that can cause a lot of stress. I was fairly confident that I wasn't in London that night but it does make you wonder what is going on or if someone took your car for a joyride.

"There was quite a bit of time sorting that out but for people who are not so tech-savvy it can be very distressful and they could have ended up paying in order to have avoided paying a bigger fine.

"If it was that the cameras got hacked then they really need to be careful and on top of their security systems because that could result in a lot of people paying up money.

"People always need to double check a fine to see if it's genuine and not fraudulent because sadly there are so many fraudulent claims sent out to people and stolen that way."

Another McDonald's customer, from near Newtown, told the County Times: "I opened the letter and it said it was a fine and I thought 'oh no, it's happened again!'. I felt confused because I didn't think I did anything wrong.

"I then looked at the letter in more detail and it said that I was parked in Potters Bar. At first I didn't know where it was so I Googled it and it was hundreds of miles away. I have never been to that area. I immediately wanted to rectify the issue and went on the website to send my appeal.

"I'm glad I can search the location on Google but I know that some from the older generation may not know how to do that and get worried and pay the fine."

McDonald's has apologised to customers who have wrongly received a parking fine and asked them to contact the Newtown restaurant to resolve the issue.

A McDonald’s spokesperson said: "We are aware that some customers of our Newtown restaurant have been incorrectly issued parking charge notices due to a software issue with our parking contractors.

"Any customer who has received a notice in error should contact our restaurant on 01686 625404 and we will ensure that the matter is resolved. We apologise for the inconvenience that this has caused."

https://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/20211502.newtown-mcdonalds-customers-given-parking-fines-bp-garage-potters-bar/

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Re: Proof that ANPR cameras in car parks don't work
« Reply #292 on: 14 July, 2022, 07:32:26 AM »
#252

Fantasy Island daytripper receives 'fundamentally wrong' £100 parking fine

He's not the only one

ByJoe Griffin
14:14, 7 JUL 2022



Fantasay Island at Ingoldmells

Fantasy Island amusement park in Ingoldmells attracts people from all over the country to the Lincolnshire coast. However, issues caused by the Smart Parking system used at the park are causing some motorists to steer clear of the area.

The car park's payment system is externally managed by Smart Parking and uses an ANPR system to track each vehicle that enters. Corby resident, John Cowie, visited Fantasy Island in May and was shocked to receive a parking fine soon after his visit.

Despite paying what he thought was the correct amount when parking, he now faces a hefty £100 fine, an issue that many other Fantasy Island car park users appear to have faced for years. Mr Cowie said: "We visited the car park on May 23 and went off to do some shopping.

"When we came back I entered my registration into the machine and the LED read 'Low season due fee £2 all day' so that's what I paid. I was then shocked to get a PCN for £100 which said I had underpaid and overstayed by so many minutes, I appealed against it and Smart Parking knocked it back so I've now gone to POPLA."

Mr Cowie is among many other users of the Fantasy Island car park that feel they have been wrongfully fined. He added: "Fantasy Island and Smart Parking are completely ignoring the fact that there are many many other cases of people that have had the same problem, especially on Tripadvisor.

"There is also a dedicated Facebook page group called Fantasy Island Smart Parking where people are getting advice on how to appeal so there's got to be something fundamentally wrong here. These companies have a duty of care, one of which is fairness, and there are a lot of people out there who feel they have been unfairly treated."

Fantasy Island has acknowledged difficulties motorists are having with the parking and said that any parking disputes need to be raised with Smart Parking. A statement on their website reads: "Unfortunately, a small number of motorists have experienced difficulties when utilising the machines, which is an issue that we would like to address immediately.

"In the unlikely event that you do receive a Parking Charge Notice, please appeal utilising the instructions which can be found on the PCN itself, providing any purchase information that would support your appeal.

Lincolnshire Live has approached Smart Parking for comment.

https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/fantasy-island-daytripper-receives-fundamentally-7300370

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Re: Proof that ANPR cameras in car parks don't work
« Reply #293 on: 20 July, 2022, 04:26:14 PM »
#253

Fury over the ‘rip-off’ UK car park that fines drivers even if they don’t park

A CAR PARK in Cornwall is fining drivers simply for entering and leaving without parking their cars.

By TIM BRADLEY
19:00, Thu, May 19, 2022 | UPDATED: 19:04, Thu, May 19, 2022


A car park at a Cornish seaside town has left locals and visitors facing hundreds of pounds in fines - even if they don’t actually park there. The Sea View Car Park in near Padstow, has been fitted with new automated licence plate reading cameras that scan a car’s number plate as soon as it enters.

According to Cornwall Live, the operator is currently not allowing any leeway between entering and finding a space, meaning many are hit with a £100 fine after leaving when finding the car park is full.

The car park, operated by a company called Alliance Parking, has proved so confusing for people that it has led to rising anger in the area - so much so that people have blasted it for being ‘a scam’.

Regular user of the car park Hazel Belle Thompson posted on a Facebook group: “It’s camera operated. As soon as you drive in, your car and reg are taken.

“I lost a full day’s wages in a parking fine for being 14 minutes over.”


Drivers are being stung with fines by the car park for falling foul of regulations

One reason for the growing anger comes due to the reportedly confusing nature of the signs at the car park.

The notices currently state drivers must pay from 7am until 11pm with no grace period - not even of up to 30 minutes as is the case at many other car parks.

However further down it also says that a £100 parking fine will be levied for parking from 10pm until 6am, despite parking being permitted until 11pm.

The sign also states that payment should start the second a driver arrives until the time they leave with no grace period for the first 30 minutes.

That means that if a driver enters but can’t find a parking space and left a minute later, they could still be fined £100.

Express.co.uk readers were united in their anger at the measures, and at the state of parking in the UK in general.

Commenter ‘Turktowner’ wrote: “This is not a fine unless issued by a Court of Law or Police. “In a privately operated car park it is an invoice that is issued on spec.

“If the car park is not full the court will take a view that the value of the invoice is excessive given that the 'normal' priced charged for a parking space is £1 per hour for example.

“The onus is on the Parking Company to do the work, and remember, it is only court appointed Bailiffs that can enter your home, and only then with a warrant not just their ID tag.”


The complete rules of the car park show that drivers are subject to some confusing directions

‘REVet’ agreed, writing: “Appeal it, the ticket is an invoice not a fine. I would simply ignore these from the beginning and don't acknowledge I have received their invoice, except Parking Eye, I appeal them straight away.”

‘Dturr’ added: “Scam tactics - how often do we enter a car park look at the price and drive out?”

‘Foxystar’ wrote: “Only a fool would even consider paying it.”

But ‘Barry UK’ replied: “No a frightened person would pay and that is how they operate, fear and intimidation of the strong over the weak. Let us hope no one damages those machines.”

In a statement to Express.co.uk, Alliance Parking said: "We comply with the existing IPC Code of Practice and the new Private Parking Code of Practice in relation to consideration periods.

"Drivers are afforded the time to enter the car park, read the signage, and leave if the car park does not suit their needs.

"As such, only those that park and remain at the car park without paying for their stay in full, or park in breach of any of the other terms and conditions will incur a Parking Charge i.e. the act of entering the car park, turning around and leaving will not incur a Parking Charge.

"Our aim is for genuine users of the car park to have access to parking which greatly assists local tourism.

"Those issued with a Parking Charge have the ability to appeal ourselves internally and an external Independent Appeals Service."

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/1611811/car-park-rip-off-cornwall-reaction

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Re: Proof that ANPR cameras in car parks don't work
« Reply #294 on: 01 August, 2022, 09:29:07 AM »
#254

'Nightmare' in Nottingham as driver fined £60 after parking for eight minutes
A DRIVER in Nottingham has been left furious after he was handed a £60 fine over parking for just 8 minutes.

By BRIAN MCGLEENON
18:51, Sat, Jul 30, 2022 | UPDATED: 18:51, Sat, Jul 30, 2022


Ian Dykes, 63, said he is "disgusted" after he was fined for parking his car for the short period of time. The driver parked his vehicle at the East Street Car Park in Nottingham. He then found his attempts to pay for the parking session were rejected four times.

This was after constantly trying to enter his car registration number.

Unable to park, Mr Dykes drove away from the car park and found somewhere else to park his car.

He then set off on a job he was sent out to by his employer to do.

However, the driver was hit with the large fine one week later - around half of his daily wage.



Mr Dykes told the Nottingham Post: "What it was I work for Dell as an engineer and I was heading for the NG1 to park.

"There's a cinema by the multi-storey car park and I had to go and do a job there to fix a machine.

"And there was a car park just close by and I used the number to ring to pay for the parking.

"So I rang it and put my registration number in, then they asked for it again so I put it in again - it asked my about four times for the number.

"It wouldn't accept payment so within the eight minutes I was there I thought it's pointless leaving it here.

"So I thought I'll go and park at the multi-storey car park, which I did.

[/img]

B&Q competition
'Nightmare' in Nottingham as driver fined £60 after parking for eight minutes
A DRIVER in Nottingham has been left furious after he was handed a £60 fine over parking for just 8 minutes.
By BRIAN MCGLEENON
18:51, Sat, Jul 30, 2022 | UPDATED: 18:51, Sat, Jul 30, 2022
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Ian Dykes, 63, said he is "disgusted" after he was fined for parking his car for the short period of time. The driver parked his vehicle at the East Street Car Park in Nottingham. He then found his attempts to pay for the parking session were rejected four times.

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This was after constantly trying to enter his car registration number.

Unable to park, Mr Dykes drove away from the car park and found somewhere else to park his car.

He then set off on a job he was sent out to by his employer to do.

However, the driver was hit with the large fine one week later - around half of his daily wage.

READ MORE: Drivers warned of massive £5,000 fines for wearing sunglasses

Ian Dykes was fined £60
Ian Dykes was fined £60 (Image: Ian Dykes)
Mr Dykes told the Nottingham Post: "What it was I work for Dell as an engineer and I was heading for the NG1 to park.

"There's a cinema by the multi-storey car park and I had to go and do a job there to fix a machine.

"And there was a car park just close by and I used the number to ring to pay for the parking.

"So I rang it and put my registration number in, then they asked for it again so I put it in again - it asked my about four times for the number.

"It wouldn't accept payment so within the eight minutes I was there I thought it's pointless leaving it here.

"So I thought I'll go and park at the multi-storey car park, which I did.

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"And then a week later I got a fine for £60 fine for trying to pay for parking!

"I appealed against it, showed them the ticket from the multi-storey car park with the difference of time which was eight minutes and they rejected it.

"They said you'll have to pay £60 which I think is disgusting to be honest.

"And everywhere you go in NG1 there's a problem with the parking, it's a nightmare trying to get close to the businesses where you're called to work. But I don't get it back, you see, I lose it out of my daily pay.

He added: "That £60 comes out of my daily pay so that's like half my pay for the day. They said that the machine was working fine and it just wasn't, it was just looping all the time. It was just a nightmare.

"There was only enough space for not even 20 cars and there was just one space in there so I thought I'd park there because it was not even five minutes away from where I needed to be.

"I work in the Nottingham area five days a week for Dell, and I don't know the area very well because I've only lived here for five years, but if someone was to come into the city to do some shopping in the city centre, it's a nightmare to park."

The issuers of the parking fine, Euro Car Parks were asked for comment by the Nottingham Post, but have yet to reply.

Additional reporting by Jack Thurlow.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1648332/car-park-fine-nottingham-driver-parking-eight-minutes

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Re: Proof that ANPR cameras in car parks don't work
« Reply #295 on: 17 August, 2022, 07:23:09 PM »
#255


BIG MAC & CRIES I was fined £100 for parking at McDonald’s for SIX HOURS… but I was at home all day

Ed Southgate

8:56, 22 Mar 2022Updated: 18:02, 22 Mar 2022


A MUM was fined £100 for allegedly parking at McDonald’s for almost six hours - but she claims she was at home all day.

Tracy Stephenson, 40, picked up a latte when she dropped her partner at work in his van before heading back home.


UKPC claimed she parked at McDonald's for six hours

But parking firm UKPC sent a letter a week later insisting the vehicle was parked up for five hours and 43 minutes outside the fast food chain in Middlesbrough, North Yorks.

Single mum Tracy, who does not live with her partner, said: “It’s absolutely ridiculous.

"I can’t afford it and I refuse to pay it when I haven’t done anything wrong.”

She said she may be the victim of a so-called double-dip camera fault when cars park up twice in one day.

It happens when automatic number plate recognition cameras pick up the first entrance and second exit, which are often hours apart.

But she also suggested the vehicle pictured exiting the car park may not even be hers because the number plate on the image is hazy.

UKPC told her officials checked the ANPR system and cameras only recorded one entry and exit. Tracy wants them to check the CCTV to see her arriving and leaving.

Tracy, of Darlington, Co Durham, told Teesside Live: "It's stress that we do not need. I'm just a taxi at the minute going back and forth."

"I doubt they haven't even looked in the time frame of the 10 possibly 20 minutes after we were pictured going in to see if we had left.

"If I had done it I would have just owned up to it and pay the fine and sulk, but the fact I definitely was not there for that duration is just beggar's belief.

"I don't know what else I can do, I'm just tearing my hair out.

"They have dismissed the fact that I've said I was not there.

"They haven't investigated it any further on their side and they're just wanting me to pay up."

Tracy called it daylight robbery and vowed never to use the drive-thru again.

UKPC was approached for comment.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/motors/18025865/fined-parking-mcdonalds-six-hours/

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Re: Proof that ANPR cameras in car parks don't work
« Reply #296 on: 19 August, 2022, 07:51:54 AM »
#256

'What about vulnerable people?’: Couple protest parking ticket from Gallows Corner Tesco after alleged ‘double dipping’ issue

Author Ben Lynch

Published: 5:59 PM August 9, 2022



The parking ticket was issued after the woman's partner visited the Gallows Corner Tesco twice on July 15

A driver was slapped with an unfair parking fine in Harold Wood after falling foul of a ‘double dipping’ camera error, it has been claimed.

A resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, said her partner received the penalty after visiting Gallows Corner Tesco on July 15 on two separate occasions.

The first was to pick up a sandwich at lunchtime and the second was to do the weekly shop, she said.

However, due to the cameras only picking up the vehicle’s first entrance and last exit, the woman’s partner was issued a parking fine on July 28 from car park operator Horizon, claiming they had been taking up a spot for more than six hours.

The woman said the couple were a "bit shocked because we haven’t done anything wrong”.

After getting in touch with Tesco via its WhatsApp business account, the woman said she was told to file an appeal with Horizon in order to get the fine overturned.

After being contacted by this newspaper, a Tesco spokesperson said it would cancel the fine if the woman is able to stop by the Gallows Corner branch and speak to a general manager.


The Tesco car park at Gallows Corner, Harold Wood

Frustrated at the situation, the woman told this newspaper she is concerned about others who may be caught out by the alleged issue.

“What about vulnerable people? They might just pay it,” she said, adding: “We are just really unhappy that other people might get tickets.”

“I’m just not happy, because I did some research and it’s called ‘double dipping’, and it’s a well-known thing,” she said.

“It takes time and effort, and it’s stressful.”

A spokesperson for Tesco said: “We always try our best to help our customers and in this case the car park at our Romford Gallows Corner Extra is operated by Horizon, and customers can direct any parking ticket enquiries to them.”

Horizon was also approached for comment.

https://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/news/traffic/gallows-corner-tesco-car-park-ticket-appealed-9200606

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Re: Proof that ANPR cameras in car parks don't work
« Reply #297 on: 01 September, 2022, 12:23:11 PM »
#257

Man wins court battle against parking firm who tried to fine him £100 for CIRCLING car park without stopping

Dave Hotchin, 49, drove around Newquay car park for half an hour
He gave up and left, but automatic plate reader picked him up
He was sent a demand for £100 but refused to pay and went to court
Mr Hotchin said: 'We felt like we were being bullied'


By SAM WEBB

PUBLISHED: 18:14, 1 April 2014 | UPDATED: 08:50, 2 April 2014


A motorist has won a court battle against a parking firm who tried to fine him £100 for circling a car park - without stopping.

Dave Hotchin, 49, spent half an hour waiting for a space without success before driving away from Fistral Beach car park in Newquay, Cornwall.

Two months later shocked Mr Hotchin received a demand for £100 saying the couple had been caught without a ticket by an automatic number plate reader.


Dave Hotchin, 49, spent half an hour waiting for a space without success at a car park at Fistral beach in Newquay, Cornwall (pictured) before driving off. He was later sent a £100 fine but has now won a court battle against the car park operators

After sending four further warnings to Mr Hotchin and his wife bosses at car park firm Parking Eye launched a court action to get the money.

But a judge threw out the claim because the 31 minutes the pair from Altrincham, Greater Manchester, spent driving around the car park in May last year did not classify as 'parking'.

He said: 'We were very surprised. We thought it was unfair considering we’d never even parked up. We were just circling the car park looking for a space.

'My wife didn’t want to go to court and found it all very intimidating but at this stage it wasn’t really about the money. We felt like we were being bullied if anything.

'The most vulnerable people in society just pay up but we decided to stick it out because we felt we had a good case.'

A spokeswoman for Parking Eye said the company 'wins the majority of legal actions it brings against car park users'.


After sending five warnings to Mr Hotchin and his wife, bosses at car park firm Parking Eye launched a court action to get the money. File picture

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2594413/Man-wins-court-battle-against-parking-firm-tried-fine-100-CIRCLING-car-park-without-stopping.html

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Re: Proof that ANPR cameras in car parks don't work
« Reply #298 on: 07 September, 2022, 11:56:16 AM »
#258

Family 'taken aback' by amount of parking fines at Fantasy Island

Meters do not automatically calculate length of stay


Ben Jones, wife Anneka, and daughter Sophia

A family who were stung with parking fines at Fantasy Island on the Lincolnshire coast say they've been 'taken aback by the amount of people who have had the same problem'. Retired local government officer Louise Monaghan explained relatives had travelled in three separate cars for the family outing but they had been caught out by the system in place.

Smart Parking (UK) Ltd uses ANPR at the pay-on-exit car park in Sea Lane, Ingoldmells, to record the arrival and departure times of vehicles. But the parking meters do not automatically calculate how long a vehicle has been there for and default to the minimum £2 cost per hour fee.

Families affected say they pay their money, only to receive a £60 'parking charge notice' for not paying the correct tariff. The charge rises to £100 if not paid in 14 days and a £10 admin fee is added if it remains unpaid after 28 days from issue. Motorists have been penalised because they were unaware they need to manually add time by using a '+' button on the side of the meter to select their correct length of stay, or say the function simply does not work.

Mrs Monaghan, who is one of a growing number of people who have posted about their experiences in the Fantasy Island Smart Parking PCN Appeals Facebook group, said she was stunned to read how many people said they had been hit with fines. "I was taken aback by the amount of people who have had the same problem as us," she said.

Mrs Monaghan, who is 59 and from Cheshire, explained her sister, Janine, who lives in Trusthorpe, was fined after using the car park last month. Mrs Monaghan, who is preparing a second appeal against the charge, said: "The signs around the car park said payment could be made when leaving.

"We decided to do this as we didn’t know how long we’d stay. When we all left, at different times, the car park ticketing machines would not let us enter more than the £2 fee. I thought the first meter I tried to use was faulty so I tried another. When I increased the plus button the tariff would not increase.

"Normally, where ANPR is used in car parks, you put enter your registration number and the meter tells you exactly how long you have been there for based on what ANPR has recorded. From what I understand, the cameras at this car park are there to trace your vehicle not to calculate your length of stay. I was taken aback by the amount of people who have had the same problem as us." Other families have come forward to share their experience.

Ben Jones, 37, visited the resort with his wife Anneka, also 37, and their four-year-old daughter Sophia on August 17 and paid what he thought was the correct fee, only to receive a £60 parking charge notice in the post. Mr Jones said: "We had taken our daughter to the indoor soft play centre. We saw the sign in the car park and understood the tariff is in two-hour slots.

"We were coming up to two hours so we decided to move to another car park. In big letters the sign states that ANPR automatically calculates the length of stay from when you enter to when you leave. The instructions on how to pay tell you to enter your number plate onto the meter screen and pay for your parking.

"The lowest amount you can pay is £2 and '2.00' automatically comes up on the screen. But people are thinking that the '2.00' means two hours' parking. I genuinely thought I had paid the right amount but a few days later I get a penalty charge notice. I've since found out the machines do not calculate your stay, so the '2.00' is the cost per hour of parking and I was supposed to psychically know that I should add time on using a '+' button on the far side of the machine."

Mr Jones, a finance assistant from Leicester, also made reference to the amount of people who've said they've been fined on the Facebook group. He said: "There needs to be clearer signs to tell people that they will need to change the tariff dependant on their length of stay. Nobody has any spare money at the moment, especially money to pay a parking firm crazy amounts of money like this."

Last month we reported that East Lindsey District Council had launched an investigation into the car park over a potential breach of planning control. The council is investigating whether the ANPR cameras, ticket machines and car parking restrictions notices were installed without planning consent.

A spokesperson for the council said: "The council received a complaint about the car park. The council is now investigating the matter of that complaint." In a statement, Fantasy Island said: "Our car park arrangement, management and payment systems are operated by a third party management company, SmartParking, who are heavily governed, regulated and inspected by the BPA (British Parking Association)." Lincolnshire Live has contacted Smart Parking (UK) Ltd for comment but has not received a response at the time of publication.

https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/family-taken-aback-amount-parking-7546512

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Re: Proof that ANPR cameras in car parks don't work
« Reply #299 on: 25 September, 2022, 07:31:37 AM »
#259

'Frustrated and angry' Farnborough Lidl customers given parking fines despite store still being open

Rachel Mather - 14 Sept 2022

The opening of a new Lidl in Hampshire two weeks ago was welcomed by many. However, in the weeks since opening customers have been shocked to find they have been issued with parking fines whilst shopping in store.

The discount supermarket opened in Solartron Retail Park on September 1, 2022. Operating Monday to Saturday from 8am-10pm and Sundays from 10am-4pm, it seems like the perfect place to pick up a weekly shop.

But despite customers being able to shop in store until late, the car park, which is run by UK Parking Control (UKPC), only allows customers to stay until 9pm. Farnborough resident Jason Railton was caught out by this and says the signage in place is unfair.

Speaking to HampshireLive, Jason said he was "frustrated and angry to come home and find a notice of a fine" after he parked outside the store on September 2 at 20:25 and left at 21:43 the same day. The letter he received stated this was 'during the restricted no parking period'.

Parking at the store is free for three hours up to a cut off point of 9pm, but Jason has contested this over the fact that shoppers should be allowed to park there whilst the Lidl store is open. He highlighted that there is an "absolutely massive sign that says Lidl is open until 10pm so I didn't pay much attention to what signs are actually in the car park itself.


The notice indicating parking fines will be issued after 9pm is printed much smaller than the opening times for Lidl which has caused confusion for customers

"You see that and you just assume, quite reasonably that you can park there." He added that to "park there when shops are open and receive a fine is clearly something where someone's messed up sorting the parking out with Lidl".

Jason returned to the retail park on Tuesday, September 13 to see if he had missed clear signs highlighting the parking restrictions. However, photos show that upon entrance to the carpark the initial signage from UKPC is obscured to motorists by the gate.

Jason commented: "When you get near the car park there's one sign at the entrance at a low level from the parking company and all it says is 'for customers only - see the notices in the car park'. There's no notice of time when you come in and you can barely read it because it's behind the gate post."

This is in stark contrast to the giant Lidl store signs which proudly display that the shop is open until 10pm, which many customers have taken to assume means they can park for free whilst shopping until this time. There is a UKPC sign within the car park that highlights the restriction, but customers view this as inadequate.


The initial sign on entry to the carpark makes no reference to time restrictions and is obscured

Jason told HampshireLive: "I'm six foot ten and it's another foot above my head and in small writing is a little bit that says no parking between 9pm and 7am. That's the only notice that shows there's a discrepancy between the parking signs and the Lidl opening times - one tiny little bit of writing".

When Jason tried to contact Lidl customer service he was told he would have to contest the fine with the parking company. Both HampshireLive and Jason tried to contact UKPC but were unable to get a reply.

However, when Jason returned to Lidl in Farnborough on Tuesday and spoke with the manager he did receive an apology. The manager also took a copy of the charge notice and assured Jason it would be cancelled.


Some signs make reference to the fact that those using the car park must be customers at the retail park but so not have timings published on them

HampshireLive contacted Lidl for comment as to why the parking limit has been set earlier than the store closing time and if Lidl has any plans to raise this with UK Parking Control Ltd in order to assist their customers. In response a spokesperson stated: "We were extremely sorry to learn of this matter.

"As soon as our teams were made it was immediately escalated to UK Parking who have confirmed to us that the timings have now been updated and all fines issued to Lidl customers have been cancelled."

Jason was told by Farnborough's site manager that he has not been the only one affected, a statement that is backed up by complaints on Farnborough community groups on Facebook. The site manager further stated that they had raised the issue with the landlord and parking company and the parking times had been extended.

As of September 13, the signs in the car park still say only until 9pm in contrast to the larger signs promoting the store closing time of 10pm. UKPC has been contacted by HampshireLive for comment.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/frustrated-and-angry-farnborough-lidl-customers-given-parking-fines-despite-store-still-being-open/ar-AA11O4tO

 


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