More drivers hit by ‘extortionate’ parking charge

MORE people who have also been hit with a £100 fine after mistakenly parking in the car park behind Bank Street have come forward.

Following a story in the last issue of the Melksham News, regarding local man Mark Baldwin’s warning to other drivers about using the car park, other drivers have said they have fallen victim to the small signs and have received large fines for short stays.

Leanne Keets received a fine despite having a clearly visible disabled blue badge in her windscreen.

Leanne said, “It’s absolutely disgusting that they get away with charging such a huge amount. My fine has now gone up to £267 and as a single parent I can’t afford to pay that.

“It’s even more disgusting that they gave me a ticket even though I have a disabled blue badge for my daughter, who I was with on the day I got the ticket. Like the other man, I was parked there for no more than 10 minutes, and to make matters worse, whoever gave me the ticket must have seen me get my disabled daughter out of the car.

“I’ve been told not to pay it so I’m not. They’ve threatened to take me to court but I don’t think they will because it will cost them too much money. They just hope that someone won’t want the hassle and pay the fine, but I refuse to pay.”

Kelvin Boorer’s daughter also received a parking charge for mistakenly parking in the car park but didn’t pay. Kelvin said, “My daughter is also a victim. She used to park in that area on a regular basis before moving to the south coast and was unaware of the new restrictions when she briefly parked there whilst on a return visit.

“On the ticket she received was an option to appeal against the fine so she sent an email explaining that she hadn’t realised it was no longer a public car park and apologised for her error, she did not receive a reply so assumed that no further action would be taken. Now after no communication from the company for over a year she has just received a demand for £250.”

Gordon Bridger also received a charge but paid. He said, “In September 2015 I parked in the same car park and was only gone ten minutes. I paid the reduced charge of £60 straight away but I did not  see any notice or parking meter.”

Mark Baldwin, whose letter to Melksham News originally highlighted the problem, has since received a letter from the County Court saying Parking and Property Management Ltd – the company issuing the charges – failed to file the appropriate paperwork on time so they have one last chance before the claim is  struck out.

Mark said, “They have seven days to submit the correct paperwork and if they let this time lapse it would seem that their tactics are just to try and bully people into paying the initial £100. There is some sharp practice going on and it is affecting ordinary people quite badly. “

Local MP Michelle Donelan said, “Parking on private land is essentially a private contractual arrangement between the car park owner and the motorist in which an MP cannot usually intervene but I do think that the signage in this particular car park does need improving to make it absolutely clear that the car park is private and fines will be imposed if unauthorised vehicles park there.

“As a result I have asked the owners to improve the signs and for information on the charges they apply and their enforcement policy. The Government has recently published a discussion paper about parking on private land and the conduct of private parking companies, including the level of charges demanded and I expect some proposals to make the system fairer to be released in due course.”

Parking and Property Management Ltd have failed to a request for a comment from Melksham News.