Couple fined 100 Pounds for overstaying at car park because they got stuck in a queue trying to leave

BurfordTJustice · 2018-02-17T21:39:00+00:00

WTF???? Couple fined ?100 for overstaying at car park because they got stuck in a queue trying to leave A couple was fined for overstaying at a car park because the queue was so long they could not leave. Donna and Darren Jacques were back at their car in the Stockton car park with time to spare, but they could not leave for another half an hour due to grid-locked traffic. They appealed against the ?100 fine but it was upheld by the independent ombudsman POPLA, which said the couple was still using the car park despite them trying to leave. It said they should have bought a new ticket to cover the time they spent queuing. Car park operator ParkingEye had fined the couple, producing CCTV photos of them leaving the car park late. The couple, from Billingham, had taken their two children to a firework display on Bonfire Night last year. Mrs Jacques said: "We have never disputed we were half an hour late, but you don't pay to sit in a car park. "We couldn't physically leave. "There's CCTV on the entrance, which is the same as the exit. I don't know if they've seen us coming back to the car. "It feels like they're pushing you as far as they can so you will just give up and pay." POPLA said the couple were still using the car park's facilities "regardless of whether they considered themselves to be parked". Acknowledging the couple had paid for two hours parking, it added "this does not detract from the fact that they were 34 minutes over the time paid for." "The parking operator, as stated on the signage, allows motorists to pay for additional time if required before leaving. "It is reasonable to believe the appellant was aware they would not leave the car park within the timeframe they paid for and therefore was able to purchase more time but failed to do so." Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham has called for action on parking companies after receiving complaints from constituents. ParkingEye has since cancelled the Jacques' fine as a "goodwill...

Feb 17, 2018 22 Replies

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Ophelia 8 years ago

On 18 Feb 2018, Ophelia wrote (in article ):

Which is another reason for adding 60 mins on to the expected time, as I do.

And seems to be pooh-poohed by the know-it-alls here.

I guess if you are used to being in that situation ... it is not something I ever do.

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Meanie 8 years ago

Waiting isn't a problem for most, but paying because you have to wait....that's a problem for everyone.

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Ophelia 8 years ago

Waiting isn't a problem for most, but paying because you have to wait....that's a problem for everyone.

Yes it is, but personally, I would prefer not to wait at all.

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