Drivers face £100 fine for breaking ‘unjust | Tech News

A motorist has been hit with a £100 fine for by chance parking within the incorrect space for simply over two minutes. The driver parked outdoors a clothes store to go to a native store however was informed by a shopkeeper they weren’t allowed to stop there. 

The motorist returned to their vehicle and moved their car however was shocked to seek out a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) from Euro Parking Services (EPS) within the post simply a week later. The letter defined that the driving force had been stopped within the incorrect location for simply two minutes and 24 seconds. The particular person shortly appealed towards the fine and didn’t obtain any additional correspondence till weeks later. 

However, issues shortly obtained worse, with the penalty later rising to £100 regardless of the driving force claiming to haven’t heard back concerning the appeal resolution. 

The motorist has now blasted the transfer as “deeply unjust” and towards “common sense”.

They informed The Guardian: “I appealed towards the fine that day through e-mail and obtained an computerized acknowledgment. However, I heard nothing more from the company.

“Then, at the start of April, I received a reminder stating that the fine had increased to £100. The letter included a paragraph stating my appeal had been rejected, although I had not been informed of the decision.

“In response, I submitted a second appeal. I am willing to pay the original £60 charge if my appeal is formally rejected, but I strongly object to being charged more when it failed to communicate the result.

“More basically, I imagine no one ought to be fined for stopping for simply over two minutes. It feels deeply unjust and opposite to common sense.”

After getting in touch with EPS, The Guardian ensured the driver was offered another fortnight to settle their original £60 fee.

Investigations found the parking bays are reserved solely for the customers of the clothing store, with landowners hiring parking firms to manage the site. 

There have been concerns that motorists could simply use the parking bays to visit other businesses within the local area.

A study of the site shows there was clear signage highlighting the bays were only for the use of customers. 

The parking bay does have a five-minute grace period before charges begin but this is said to end when motorists walk away from their vehicles. 

Simon Williams, the RAC’s head of policy, said: “Some parking firms are wrongly demanding ‘fines’ from drivers who’ve legitimately paid to park.

“Whether it’s a faulty payment machine that records the wrong vehicle registration or an innocent mistake keying in their number plate, these people shouldn’t have to pay the £100 parking charge notices they are sent.

“Many instances appear utterly unjustified and ought to be thrown out at appeal. But sadly they so usually aren’t.”