Parking fine but signage was wrong

[juttley72]

Hi, earlier in the year I got a ticket for parking in stafford close to the train station. The ticket machine said maximum stay 6 hours (just under the slot for the money), so I paid the maximum fee and caught the train into Birmingham. I got back within 6 hours but found a ticket saying I had overstayed the 4 hour limit. Looking around, there indeed was a sign at the entrance that said four hours, but the ticket machine itself said 6 hours. checking the ticket also said 4 hours, but I paid no heed to this as I assumed it was six. I wrote to the council and got back a letter which implied I was an idiot for not noticing and they had no intention of paying me back.

any ideas as to what regs they are breaking by having inappropriate signage? I still have the photo of the offending machine and was to pursue it further....

thanks for any responses in advance.

[livelylad]

Hi, earlier in the year I got a ticket for parking in stafford close to the train station. The ticket machine said maximum stay 6 hours (just under the slot for the money), so I paid the maximum fee and caught the train into Birmingham. I got back within 6 hours but found a ticket saying I had overstayed the 4 hour limit. Looking around, there indeed was a sign at the entrance that said four hours, but the ticket machine itself said 6 hours. checking the ticket also said 4 hours, but I paid no heed to this as I assumed it was six. I wrote to the council and got back a letter which implied I was an idiot for not noticing and they had no intention of paying me back.

any ideas as to what regs they are breaking by having inappropriate signage? I still have the photo of the offending machine and was to pursue it further....

thanks for any responses in advance.

 

Have a look in this link it may help.

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=5232&highlight=Parking+ticket

[juttley72]

Thanks Livelylad, i checked out the gov website and have got on to NPAS and will be challenging the decision. I am writing to the council one more time to ask for my money back and stating that failure to comply will result in a formal challenge, plus a freedom of information act request which will cost them alot more to comply with than refunding my £20. not that the request will be vexatious as the public have a right to know that the councils signage is resulting in inappropriate charges for unsuspecting motorists. will update when i have a response.

[livelylad]

Thanks Livelylad, i checked out the gov website and have got on to NPAS and will be challenging the decision. I am writing to the council one more time to ask for my money back and stating that failure to comply will result in a formal challenge, plus a freedom of information act request which will cost them alot more to comply with than refunding my £20. not that the request will be vexatious as the public have a right to know that the councils signage is resulting in inappropriate charges for unsuspecting motorists. will update when i have a response.

 

 

Best of luck.:grin: