Urgent warning as 1000s of drivers slapped with parking fines of up to £170 despite PAYING
DRIVERS are being slapped with fines of up to £170 despite paying to park — because dodgy machines are missing digits off number plates.
Campaigner Lynda Eagan, who helps run a 47,000-member Facebook group, says 'literally thousands' have been caught out by 'sticky keys' and machines that let you pay without completing your plate.
1
Dodgy parking machines are wrongfully slapping motorists with fines of up to £170
Credit: Getty
She claimed some devices are 'set up to trap people', while the RAC has called for urgent reform and the return of a scrapped code of practice.
Matt Chambers, 35, was fined £100 in Worksop after Excel Parking claimed he only typed the letter 'B' - a charge he insists is false.
Lee Rogers, 67, got a ticket in Rye when his machine printed just one digit, and 79-year-old Mary Hawken's £170 fine was dropped only after her MP stepped in.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander admitted the system is broken and said the Government is working on a code of practice.
READ MORE ON MOTORS
A spokesperson for trade body the British Parking Association declined to respond to the claims of faulty machines, but said someone who receives a parking charge they believe was issued in error should first contact the parking operator and provide 'all the information that would be relevant for an appeal'.
Police can still give you a fine, so here is everything you need to know about much the fine is and if you can get it cancelled.
You may still face a fine for not having a parking ticket if the machine is broken, but you should be able to appeal the decision.
Most read in Motors
According to Citizens Advice, the
The penalty won't be dropped if there was another, working machine nearby — so ensure you double check before leaving without paying.
Disabled pensioner has hit with £100 parking fine after ticket machine machine was blocked by debris
If you do decide to park, you should take a photograph of the broken machine as you'll need it for your appeal should you end up getting fined.
More than half of drivers have successfully appealed parking fines handed out by local councils, an investigation by The Sun found in 2021.
But be careful, as some car parks will have a sign saying not to stop there if there's no way to pay.
Should you ignore the sign and get a penalty, your appeal is very likely to be rejected.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Extra.ie
36 minutes ago
- Extra.ie
Brother of Wicklow woman injured during marathon training dies
The family of a Wicklow woman who sustained life-changing injuries after she was marathon training in Sicily have been struck with tragedy once again following the death of their 17-year-old son. Hannah Leonard was training for the Dublin Marathon when she was struck by a car on October 6, last year. The young woman was hit while crossing a pedestrian crossing, and has been in Beaumont Hospital since the beginning of the year while she awaits a place in the National Rehabilitation Hospital. Hannah Leonard was training for the Dublin Marathon when she was struck by a car on October 6, last year. Pic: Facebook A Go Fund Me was launched following the horror accident, with Hannah's father Kevin sharing updates on his daughter's recovery. In his latest update, Kevin admitted he wasn't going to do an update following the death of his son Dylan, aged 17, but was then met with a 'beautiful sign.' Kevin wrote: 'And so tragedy has visited our family again, this time more final. Hannah has tragically lost her younger brother Dylan. I wasn't going to do an update this week but then we got the most beautiful sign that he has wrapped his guardian angel wings around his sister. The family of a Wicklow woman who sustained life-changing injuries after she was marathon training in Sicily have been struck with tragedy once again following the death of their 17-year-old son. Pic: 'His last visit with Hannah was this day week ago, and it was magical. Hannah always has the best reactions for her siblings and last Friday was no different, squeezing Dylan's hand, moving her body, giving him the most intense eye contact and trying to speak to him but she hasn't gotten there just yet.' Kevin went on to detail the phone call he received from Beaumont Hospital, adding that he is always filled with concern when they call. Fortunately, the news the family had awaited since January had come — Hannah had been given a place in the National Rehabilitation Hospital where she will be transferred in the 'coming weeks.' 'Overcome with emotions, I almost missed the next bit of news, the tracheotomy has been removed,' Kevin added, '7 months we've been waiting to hear that, her consultant now believing that it will aid in Hannah's recovery.' The grieving father admitted it was hard to feel joy during such a difficult time but said the family drew comfort from Dylan acting as his sisters' guardian angel. 'He may not have been able to help her in life but now he does as her guardian angel,' Kevin shared, 'He would have been so happy to celebrate these significant milestones.' To follow on Hannah's journey, or donate to support her recovery go here.
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Just leave her in Gaza' Israeli hostage families slam Greta Thunberg over embarrassing ‘Freedom Flotilla' stunt
GRETA Thunberg's "Freedom Flotilla" ship stunt has been slammed by the tormented families of hostages. Anti-Israel campaigner Greta, 22, has been accused of supporting Hamas after attempting to breach the Gaza blockade. 11 Greta Thunberg pictured after the Israeli Defence Forces boarded the Madleen Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 11 Rita Lifshitz outside her father-in-law Oded's burnt-out home 11 The family of hostage Oded Lifshitz speaks to the crowd at a protest rally against the government Credit: Alamy 11 Greta pictured on a deportation flight from Israel Credit: Twitter/OSINTdefender Israeli naval forces seized the British flagged-yacht Madleen carrying the climate activist on Monday. Greta - who moaned she was "kidnapped" - has been blasted for her latest antic by the families of hostages who have lambasted her for wasting precious time. She has since been pictured on a deportation flight from Israel. One ex-government official rebuked what they branded an "insignificant episode which mostly manifested the stupidity of both sides". Rita Lifshitz, whose She told The Sun: "In Sweden they said it would have been better to let her into Gaza so she couldn't come back. "People don't believe in what she's doing and saying. "This will just show them more that they shouldn't believe what she is saying." Most read in The Sun Rita's father-in-law in captivity after being He and wife Yocheved were among 250 taken hostage when vile Hamas thugs tore across the border - killing at random and torching homes. Steve Brisley's sister Leanne 48, and his nieces Noiya, 16, and Yahel, 13, were among those Greta Thunberg's Gaza 'Freedom Flotilla' boarded & seized by Israeli forces The dad, from Bridgend, Wales, took aim at Greta's stunt for wasting time which could have been used to get the remaining hostages home. "This isn't about politics or publicity for me," he said. "It's about families torn apart and 55 "Their loved ones wait for their return - for an embrace or a burial. "Every moment wasted on anything else adds to the suffering on both sides." 11 Steve Brisley, whose sister and two nieces were killed on 7 October by Hamas Credit: AFP 11 Rita Lifshitz stands near her son, Daniel Lifshitz, as he delivers his grandfather's eulogy during the funeral for Oded Lifshitz Credit: Getty 11 Ruins of a kibbutz decimated by Hamas Credit: Katie Davis for The Sun 11 Greta Thunberg speaking at a press conference Credit: Getty Efrat Machikawa, whose elderly uncle Gadi Moses was trapped in Gaza for 15 months, resonated with Steve's call. She said: "The only comment I might have at the moment is to bring the focus on releasing all hostages and ending this terrible war, so we can all heal. "Every day passing is a day too late for all of us in the region." Israeli's furious government has vowed to make Greta and other activists detained Haunting clips shows innocents, including children, being slaughtered by Hamas savages during the attacks. The footage - titled "Bearing Witness" - was taken from the Hamas terrorists' bodycams as they Hamas unleashed carnage in the Middle East after massacring more than 1,200 and abducting 251 hostages on October 7, 2023. What happened on October 7? ON OCTOBER 7, 2023, Hamas launched a brutal surprise attack on Israel, marking one of the darkest days in the nation's history. Terrorists stormed across the border from Gaza, killing over 1,200 people — most of them civilians — and kidnapping 250 others, including women, children, and the elderly. The coordinated assault saw heavily armed fighters infiltrate Israeli towns, kibbutzim, and military bases, unleashing indiscriminate violence. Innocent families were slaughtered in their homes, and graphic footage of the atrocities spread across social media, leaving the world in shock. And as well as attacking people in their homes, they stormed the Nova music peace festival - killing at least 364 people there alone. The massacre triggered a swift and massive retaliatory response from Israel, escalating into a full-scale war. The attack not only reignited long-standing tensions in the region but also left deep scars on both sides of the conflict, setting the stage for the 16 months of devastation that followed. Some 56 hostages remain in Gaza - 20 of whom Greta's bid to get into the strip with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) came after a failed attempt in May, when another of its vessels was struck by two drones in international waters off Malta. Footage on Monday showed the Israeli Navy communicating with the Madleen over a loudspeaker, urging it to change course. Israeli forces boarded the ship and the foreign ministry later confirmed it was "safely making its way to the shores of Israel ". All passengers were safe, unharmed and handed sandwiches and water before the vessel docked at the southern Israeli port of Ashdod. The boat was carrying a "tiny amount of aid" on board - which will be sent to Gaza. Greta had earlier posted on social media with a Palestine flag and wearing a keffiyeh scarf while on the journey. Who is on board the "Freedom Flotilla"? Greta Thunberg - Swedish climate activist Rima Hassan – French-Palestinian MEP Yasemin Acar – German activist Thiago Avila – Brazilian activist Omar Faiad – French journalist Pascal Maurieras – French activist Yanis Mhamdi – French reporter Suayb Ordu – Turkish activist Sergio Toribio – Spanish activist Marco van Rennes – Dutch activist Reva Viard – French activist Liam Cunningham - Irish Game of Thrones actor Baptiste Andre - French Physician US President Donald Trump commented: "She's a strange person. "I think she needs to go to an anger management class." Travelling alongside her was Rima Hassan, a French member of the European parliament of Palestinian descent. She was barred from entering Israel due to her outspoken criticism of the country's Read more on the Irish Sun Organisers claimed pro-Palestinian FFC claimed the voyage was 'a non-violent, direct action to challenge Israel's illegal siege". Israel imposed a near-total blockade on Gaza in late 2023, following Hamas's horror massacre on southern Israel on October 7. 11 A photo posted on Telegram purportedly showing activists with their hands up on board the Madleen Credit: Freedom Flotilla Coalition 11 Greta Thunberg was part of the crew of the ship Madleen Credit: Getty 11 Greta Thunberg on board the "Freedom Flotilla" aid mission Credit: @chris_kebbon
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Ex-Ligue 1 star rushed to hospital after being found unconscious at home with stab wound close to his heart
FRENCH league star Daniel Congre has been rushed to hospital - after being found at home with a stab wound. The central defender has made over 550 appearances for Toulouse, Montpellier and Dijon. Advertisement 2 Daniel Congre was found with a stab wound at home Credit: Getty 2 He almost joined Aston Villa in 2016 Credit: Getty Congre, 40, became But emergency services raced to his home at Perols, near Montpellier, on Monday after concerns were raised for his welfare. Toulouse-born Congre was reportedly found unconscious with a severe stab wound close to his heart. Montpellier police have opened an enquiry into the incident, which took place near the city's airport. Advertisement READ MORE ON SPORT Congre joined Montpellier straight after their surprise Ligue 1 title win in 2012, and went on to captain the side. Able to operate in central defence or on either flank, he won seven Under-21 caps for Congre, whose parents hail from the French Caribbean, later received a senior call-up from Guadeloupe. Advertisement Most read in Football Despite this, he failed to make their squad for the 2009 Concacaf Gold Cup. A source close to the now-retired player said on Tuesday morning that his condition had become more stable. But enquiries continue into whether Congre's injuries were self-inflicted or a third party was involved.
