A SUPERMARKET’S plan to fine customers for parking over two spaces has been slammed as “ridiculously unnecessary” and “greedy”.
Warning signs from parking company Horizon Parking have appeared in the car park at Tesco’s Ingleby Barwick store, in Stockton-on-Tees, North Yorkshire, telling customers they must stay within the white lines of the bays or face a £70 penalty.
PARKING MAD: What does the law say about parking fines and how they can be enforced?
A ticket from a private company – in this case, a firm managing a car park on behalf of Tesco – is referred to as a parking charge notice.
It is an invoice and they have no official right to fine you – all they are doing is sending you a notice for what they deem to be a breach of contract.
Private firms can set rules for their own land – however they are accountable to the authorities in justifying why users are being fined, in this case parking over two spaces.
And while tickets from offical bodies such as the police or councils usually should be paid – unless you have a good reason not to – tickets from private firms can be fought.
Gather evidence if you plan to appeal a private ticket, for example take photographs to show unclear signs or anything else that might be relevant, and keep all your correspondence with the company and hold off paying the fine if you want to challenge it.
Check to see if the company is a member of a trade body such as the British Parking Association (BPA) or International Parking Community (IPC).
Most of the big, private car park operators are part of this adjudication scheme. Popla (Parking on Private Land Appeals) was set up by the BPA for its members.
If Popla agrees with the driver the charge is cancelled. If the driver’s appeal is refused, the company can carry on seeking payment and ultimately has the option of taking the vehicle owner to the small claims court.
Some shoppers say they should just make the bays bigger to fit large 4x4s dubbed “Chelsea tractors” regularly seen on the estate.
But others say offenders deserve a fine and “it’s about time” they were punished.
One customer posted on social media: “I visited Tesco today and I was tipped off that if you don’t park within the white lines of the parking bay, the wardens will photograph your car and issue a £70 fine.
“If you read the new signs in the car park it does indeed say that.
“Frightening, ridiculously unnecessary and greedy. Be warned.”
The posts were split between those that agreed with the fines, and those that didn’t.
Those that were against the fines said: “I think it’s a disgrace when I have to pay 30 quid a month to park my car at the hospital I work at, now potential to be charged to get my weekly shopping.”
Another admitted they were one of the drivers that took up two spaces – after having their car repeatedly damaged.
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They said: “I’ve had my pride and joy hit seven times in car parks since January by inconsiderate people that can’t drive, can’t park and don’t have the decency to leave a note and take responsibility for their appalling driving.
“Hence why I park at the back of car parks now across two spaces.”
A customer of the store said: “Cars are getting bigger again with these SUVs and Chelsea tractors – but there are worse things we should be worrying about than this.”
“It’s ridiculous. You can go to other places and not have this hassle.”
“They should spend more time on people parking in disabled bays and parent and child spaces that shouldn’t be there, not for parking slightly over a white line.”
But another added: “Don’t park like an idiot and you won’t get a fine.”