Driver warns of ‘extortionate’ charge for five-minute stay

A LOCAL man is warning other drivers of parking in the car park behind Bank Street, after being issued with a £100 ticket for a five minute stay. 

Mark Baldwin says the charge is ‘despicable’ and ‘extortionate’ for what could quite easily be a simple mistake of using the car park behind Bank Street.

Mark said, “Most Melksham residents will have been used to parking for short periods in this once scruffy area but I parked there in March this year and was issued with a parking charge for £100.

“There are signs but when I parked there I didn’t notice them and still assumed it was open access, as indeed a lot of other people do.

“After a reminder I decided that the best thing to do was to offer an amount (£10) to satisfy the company which is based in Bracknell.  As I was only parked there for five minutes in order to get a prescription from the chemists I thought this was a generous amount but they rejected it and put the case into the hands of solicitors.

“I am now being summoned to appear in the County Court for non-payment of a so-called debt of £150 (they keep changing the amount). I intend to defend in the court on the basis that they gave me no warning and  that the amount of the parking charge is unreasonable. I think it is a pretty despicable way of making money personally.”

When asked Melksham Town Council’s view on the matter, Town Clerk, Stephen Grey said, “I understand that the car park behind Bank Street is privately owned and I think the details are displayed on notice boards in the car park.

“As such the Town Council has no jurisdiction over the area or the charges levied I’m afraid.”

Melksham News did not get a reply from Parking and Property Management Ltd, the company who manage the car park.