Parking at motorway service

[Surfer01]

Is there any legislation covering parking at motorway service stations and are any "tickets" issued enforceable? Is the land private or is it covered by motorway legislation?

[BankFodder]

If you have received a ticket, then it owuld help if you told us about it - what it says, who issued it etc

[Surfer01]

I have not received a ticket, but there is a debate about tickets at motorway services on a caravan forum.

[dx100uk]

unless the ticket states:

 

PENALTY CHARGE NOTICE

 

and ONLY THOSE EXACT THREE WORDS

 

its a private ticket and can be ignored as usual.

 

motorway service stations are still 'private property'

 

dx

[Surfer01]

The person on the other forum with whom I am disagreeing is arguing as follows;

 

Motorway Service Areas - are governed by the legislation for "special roads",

ie motorways, and like public highway parking offences - parking fines at MSA's ARE enforceable in court - unlike parking charges on private property.

 

are simply NOT the same as private land - the attendants DO have authority to issue penalties, enforceable by the courts

- this is specifically covered by the legislation covering motorways themselves.

 

Parking on private land is different to parking on the public highway

- MSAs are the same as public highways but different legislation.

 

Whilst the new legislation, not yet in force, makes clamping less likely it does also give private parking firms the right to charge the registered keeper of a vehicle

and sue for breach of contract if the charge isn't paid - unlike the current legislation where the driver is liable but the keeper

has no obligation to disclose the driver where it's on private property, and currently they can only sue for damages (negligible) if the charge isn't paid.

 

Apparently there is an argument also on ****** regarding this issue, but I have not read it.

 

I cannot find anything that states motorway service areas are governed under some legislation and "parking law" applies.

 

When you leave the motorway to enter the MSA, ther is generally a sign stating that motorway regulations have ended.

[dx100uk]

silly beggar!

 

the rules end when you pass the end of motorway regulations sign

 

thats why they are there!

 

the car parks are privately run - end of.

my last post dictates those tickets that always should be paid

 

dx

[DBC]

That person is wrong. All tickets that are issued at motorway service just like any other private ticket.

 

What might be causing the confusion is that I imagine that the actual roads within a service area can still be policed for such things as speeding and other traffic offences, but not parking.

[dx100uk]

as all roads within any un gated private car park can.

 

good point DBC

 

dx

[Jamberson]

Your friend is also under the illusion that there is a difference between private land and non-private land. There is no such distinction. The ownership of the land is immaterial - what matters is who is issuing the penalty. The council or police can issue on privately owned land, under some circumstances. Ownership is not the issue.

[dw190]

 

The Police regularly issue Fixed Penalty Notices on Motorway Service Areas.

[DBC]

 

But not for parking.

[greasmonkey]

I dont think they are private property the services are leased but

think the car parks still belong to the state

[crem]

my last post dictates those tickets that always should be paid

 

dx

 

always should be paid OR APPEALLED I think you meant to say dx

[dw190]

But not for parking.

They do if you park on the footpath. Got one last year.

[dx100uk]

then thats not parking is it!

thats a traffic offence.

or obstruction.

 

you dont get FPN's for parking.

 

dx

[Jamberson]

I dont think they are private property the services are leased but

think the car parks still belong to the state

 

It's not relevant. They could belong to either - the situation is the same. The police or council can issue on private land, if certain circumstances apply. What matters is whether it is a private company issuing the charge - not whether it is issued on private land.

 

Council and police tickets need to be taken seriously, wherever issued. Those issued by private companies do not. Land ownership is not an issue.

[diskmandave]

you dont get FPN's for parking.

 

dx

You do......

 

Parking on DYL's issued by the police is a £30 FPN here.

[Surfer01]

If on a services area you park a car in a parking space for a HGV or Car and caravan combination, can you be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice or a FPN? The same applies if you park across the white or yellow lines.