logo
'Dodgy' parking machines cause heartache as motorists pay fines despite being innocent

'Dodgy' parking machines cause heartache as motorists pay fines despite being innocent

Daily Mirror27-04-2025

Motorists would pay a 'dodgy' parking fine even if they hadn't done anything wrong - most would fork out just to 'get rid of the hassle', with 13% saying there's no point in appealing private company fines
Drivers say they would pay private parking charges even if they'd done nothing wrong. One in 20 would pay up even if they knew they hadn't broken the rules, according to the AA. Most would fork out just to 'get rid of the hassle', with 13% saying there's no point in appealing these private company fines.
The majority would appeal, but only a third say they'd be 'confident' of success. These latest findings show 'the delay in implementing the official government code is scandalous' says AA's head of roads policy who supply roadside assistance all over the nation. Campaigner Lynda Eagan, who operates a 'Private Parking Tickets - Help and Advice' Facebook group with 47,000 followers, told The Mirror she worries about the mental health impact of these fines.


She said: 'People are paying early to save themselves the aggravation of having to appeal, lose the appeal, pay even more and potentially go to court. What we really need to concentrate on is on the mental health of people. To get a PCN doesn't sound very much but for some people £60 is a lot of money, it's probably a grocery shop, especially for pensioners.
'It's a pain in your heart to know they are losing a night's sleep over it. Many of the vulnerable in the community are the ones getting tripped up by these parking machines. And it's all because of pure greed. It's the gravy train they know is going to be grinding to a halt when the Government impose regulations. " She explained the wait for regulations for private firms goes back to 2017, the act was passed in 2019 but the proposed code of practice was withdrawn in 2022 and "it's now sitting dusty on a shelf.'
Lynda predicts we are heading for 14 million PCNs this year, based on the number of requests that the DVLA get.
'They are generating PCNs for things they know are unfair. The graph is going up at about the same rate every year.' She says 'dodgy machines' are causing a lot of heartache, with sticky numbers and machines that encourage people to pay before they have put their full registration in. 'I only see the tip of the iceberg but I see lots of people who say they put their registration in but the machine has made a mistake.
"Those people are offered a £20 early cancellation fee by the companies that are chasing them even though those companies know there are repeated problems in their car parks.'

AA members were asked to imagine receiving a PCN for something they didn't commit, with one saying 'pay as no one seems to win in a contest with parking companies.'.
One in 50 respondents said they would ignore the PCN letter, with one explaining 'Ignore it as it's an invoice not a fine!'. While explaining their reason for paying and appealing one person said 'I'd rather pay it so that it doesn't escalate then contest it to get refunded'.

Meanwhile, one in 12 (8%) said they would approach Citizens Advice for help. In 2021-22 Citizens Advice helped 7,412 people with concerns regarding private parking operators, but that has now grown by 34% to 9,926 requests for help in 2024-25.
In their poll of more than 11,500 drivers, one in 20 (5%1) said they would pay up immediately if they received a PCN even if they knew they did not break the rules.

Of those that would pay, more than half (53%) said they would do so because 'it gets rid of the hassle'. More than one in 10 (13%) said they would pay the PCN because they felt they wouldn't get a fair hearing at appeal, while shockingly 11% said they'd pay due to fearing legal action. In contrast, 53% of drivers said they would appeal a PCN letter from a private parking company, but only a third said they felt 'confident' they would be successful.
After a legal challenge a code of practice for private companies was withdrawn. The private parking sector have since implemented their own code of practice, which The AA does not endorse.
'In fact, 5% of drivers have been hoodwinked into believing that this self-authored code is the official government backed document,' they said.

The AA is calling on the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to act urgently and introduce the government backed scheme by the end of 2025.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, said: 'The delay in implementing the official government code is scandalous. Six years on, yet no part of the legislation has been introduced to protect and safeguard drivers from an aggressive industry. 'The fact that drivers are willing to pay up when they have done nothing wrong, nor have any confidence in the current appeals process, shows why urgent action is needed.
'We are hugely concerned that the government is standing idly by while drivers continue to receive threatening letters from a sector that works on the basis of guilty until proven innocent. Urgent action is needed, and introducing the rules by the end of the year will help wrestle back some of the balance in favour of the motorist.
'Until the measures within the Act are in place, drivers will continue to be attacked by these shark-like businesses.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Major road opens to traffic after most expensive upgrade in Welsh history
Major road opens to traffic after most expensive upgrade in Welsh history

Wales Online

timean hour ago

  • Wales Online

Major road opens to traffic after most expensive upgrade in Welsh history

Major road opens to traffic after most expensive upgrade in Welsh history The £2 billion project to upgrade the A465 Heads of the Valleys road began in 2002 and has now been fully completed Construction of the A465 Heads of the Valleys road (Image: Richard Swingler Photography ) The most expensive road construction project ever in Wales is being officially opened on Thursday - 23 years after it started. After more than two decades of disruptions, motorists can at last breathe a sigh of relief as smooth traffic returns to an area previously synonymous with congestion. The removal of the final traffic cone and contraflow late last month signalled the end of the extensive A465 Heads of the Valleys road works. The seminal moment marked the culmination of a 28-mile enhancement endeavour, started in 2002, which racked up a bill of £2 billion. Welsh Government minister Jane Hutt had lauded the scheme as "one of the most significant infrastructure investments in the whole of the UK". For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here . Since its inception in 2002, the project has steadily progressed to transform the A465 into a dual carriageway section by section. Running from the M4 near Neath to the A40 dual carriageway at Abergavenny, ultimately connecting to the midlands of England, the crucial final segment between Hirwaun and Dowlais got underway back in 2001. With the works completed, the road network now boasts a 17.7km stretch of new dual carriageway complemented by 6.1km of side roads, over 14km designed for active travel, 38 new water culverts, 30 fresh bridges, and 28 retaining walls. Speed limits will set the new dual carriageway at a steady 70mph, interspersed with six junctions for access. Article continues below The Welsh Government has also highlighted the project's contribution to the local economy, generating more than 2,000 jobs, with more than half the workforce coming from the vicinity. A total of 158 apprentices have gained experience through the initiative, nearly half of whom hail from the valleys area, reinforcing the commitment to bolstering local education and training opportunities. The road's official opening will take place on Thursday, June 12. The Welsh Government's transport minister Ken Skates said: "Delivering better transport and fixing our roads is a priority for this government, which is why I am delighted to be marking the completion of what has been a hugely ambitious road upgrade programme. 'It's been a complex project, which has not been without its challenges, but is a fantastic example of how targeted investment in road infrastructure can deliver benefits on so many levels, from providing local jobs to improving accessibility, supporting education and skills, as well as delivering environmental benefits. 'Of course, a project of this magnitude is inevitably going to have an impact on local residents, and I would like to thank those that were affected for their patience. "I am confident that once people realise the benefits of this investment, memories of any disruption they have experienced will start to fade.' Article continues below Finance secretary Mark Drakeford added: "Investing in this major capital project has created real benefits for local people. It has resulted in £400m for the local supply chain and has created 2,200 new jobs. 'Beyond improving transport, this project has built a legacy in the area, by training over 200 apprentices and providing STEM activities for local schools. This shows how our investments are improving more than just infrastructure; they are supporting our communities."

Teenager airlifted to hospital after Pembroke bus collision
Teenager airlifted to hospital after Pembroke bus collision

Western Telegraph

time6 hours ago

  • Western Telegraph

Teenager airlifted to hospital after Pembroke bus collision

Emergency services responded just after 3.30pm following reports of a crash involving a teenager and a service bus. Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed the incident led to the closure of the B4322 Pembroke Road from A4139 Ferry Lane to Imble Lane. The road remained closed for several hours, reopening at 7pm. A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: "Police received a report of a road traffic collision involving a teenager and a service bus just after 3.30pm, Tuesday, 10th June. "The teenager was taken to hospital by air ambulance with serious injuries. "The road was closed and reopened at 7pm." Wales Air Ambulance also attended the scene. A spokesperson for Wales Air Ambulance said: "I can confirm the Wales Air Ambulance attended an incident in that region yesterday afternoon (10/06/25). Our Dafen-based crew were allocated at 15:40 and arrived at the scene, via air, at 16:24. "Our involvement concluded at 17:46." Local reports described the road as "completely closed and taped off" near the entrance to the new housing estate, with diversions in place. The AA reported that traffic was "coping well" despite the closure.

Motorhome drivers to face new rules amid calls for a 'campervan tax'
Motorhome drivers to face new rules amid calls for a 'campervan tax'

Daily Mirror

time12 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

Motorhome drivers to face new rules amid calls for a 'campervan tax'

The Scottish Government has been urged to introduce a new tax for motorhomes and campervans amid concerns over the popularity of the vehicles clogging up the roads Motorhome and campervan owners could face a "mixed bag" of new rules, including a potential tax, according to experts. The Scottish Government is facing mounting pressure after it was revealed there are no current plans to introduce charges for motorhomes and campervans touring the North Coast 500 (NC500), one of the UK's most popular driving routes. Thousands of holidaymakers embark on the very scenic 500-mile loop from Inverness each year, leading to calls for a campervan tax to help manage overcrowding. However, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes confirmed this week that there are "no plans to introduce a campervan tax". ‌ Labour Party politician Shaun Fraser, who is standing to be MSP for Inverness and Nairn, has backed exploring "options attached to campervans, including number plate recognition to charge visiting campervans using Highland roads." ‌ "Our roads cannot cope with this. It is a mixed blessing," Fraser said. Ms Forbes suggested that local councils could consider a discretionary approach, encouraging visitors to make a financial contribution towards maintaining the route. This could ensure the NC500 continues to be enjoyed by motorhome and campervan enthusiasts for years to come, she added. SNP MSP Emma Roddick has voiced her support for the inclusion of campervan tourists in any wider tourist tax, arguing that it's "fair" for drivers to contribute to the "preservation and maintenance of the areas they enjoy so much," reports Birmingham Live. Highland Council could "consider alternative approaches" through their visitor levy plans, according to Ms Forbes. She explained: "There are only five roads in and out of the Highlands, so it can't be that difficult to figure out who is travelling in, who is travelling out, and how you can work with people at that point to look at whether a financial contribution can be made."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store