I went to Westbury Station today to collect my daughter off a train from Paddington. On arrival I found that all the parking spaces on the approach road to the station have been "taken over" by Network Rail, It appears that the only people who can park there have to be in a Network Rail liveried vehicle - £100 fine if not.

On enquiring at the ticket office (open for once on a Sunday !!) I was told it was still OK to park there, really ! or I could park for free in the main car park for 20 mins.

I was under the impression that if you wish to restrict parking by threatening financial, or other sanctions, you have to place large notices, which can be clearly seen by those entering the area, clearly explaining what the parking restrictions are and how this might affect you. Go to any supermarket car park and see them - AND when entering the APCOA^▸ (Airport Parking Corporation Of America - an organization founded in Ohio in 1947. Car parking company used at GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) controlled stations in the area) car park at Westbury Station !! There are no large signs on the approach road at Westbury, that I could see ! only the individual signs on the fence by each parking bay.

Any "legal eagles" out there who could offer any thoughts on this ? I strongly suspect that these signs have no legal standing as they are.

Plus, of course, what happens if the train you are meeting is 21 minutes late ? Does the ANPR system actually give you unadvertised leeway. I am aware of a large multi storey carpark where the ANPR system there actually gives you 30 mins - so if you are quick and don't need to buy much close to the car park you can park for 30 mins for free...............