Investigation into parking tickets for drivers queuing at petrol stations

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Investigation into parking tickets for drivers queuing at petrol stations

One of the UK^▸ (United Kingdom)'s largest private parking providers is being investigated by the competition regulator over whether parking tickets for drivers queuing at petrol forecourts are fair.

Euro Car Parks' broader appeals process relating to petrol stations and car parks is also being looked into, to determine if it breaches consumer protection law.

The investigation forms part of a wider crackdown by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA^▸ (Competition and Markets Authority)) into potentially unfair practices by private parking operators.

Research by the RAC has suggested the number of tickets issued in places like gyms, supermarkets, restaurants and retail parks more than doubled in six years, to 14.4 million.

Motorists have complained about these parking issues, the CMA said, highlighting problems including unclear signage, faulty apps and broken ticket machines.

The regulator said it wanted to make sure drivers are being treated fairly following complaints from motorists who feel they've been unjustly issued with parking tickets.

The CMA says it has its own concerns about the way some operators are handling appeals, or attempting to make motorists pay additional fees on top of parking charges.  It has written to the sector as a whole, and issued warnings to some individual operators about their practices.

The CMA's executive director of consumer protection Emma Cochrane said receiving a parking ticket could be a stressful experience.  "Costs are high and often unexpected which is difficult when people are budgeting carefully," she said.

"Parking companies must treat motorists fairly at all stages – and a clear and consistent appeals process must be at the heart of this.  It's time for all private parking operators to comply with consumer law or risk action from the CMA."

In the open letter to private parking operators, the CMA warned they should review their terms and conditions and make changes if necessary to ensure they are complying with consumer law.

The CMA's investigation into Euro Car Parks is focusing on whether it is fair for drivers to receive parking charges while queuing for, or using, petrol pumps and other forecourt services such as car washes, plus its wider appeals process.

It is in the evidence gathering stage, and is set to run until Spring 2027.

Motorists on social media have expressed bafflement and frustration at receiving parking tickets for overstaying at petrol stations.

Some described receiving fines when they had been doing things including charging their electric vehicles. Others said they had received a ticket for apparently overstaying while putting air in their tyres and getting fuel. And some complained there was no signage obvious to them with the facility's rules.

Euro Car Parks has more than 3,000 facilities across the UK and Ireland, according to the company's website, with more than two million cars parking in their spots every day. The BBC has contacted Euro Car Parks for comment.

Which? consumer law expert Lisa Webb said it was positive to see the CMA launch its investigation.  "We often hear from people who feel frustrated and confused as they fight unfair charges and tickets issued by private parking operators, including for absurd reasons like queuing for a petrol pump or car wash," she said.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at The AA, said forecourts and parking operators need to allow motorists to get the fuel they need without being penalised "for simply waiting their turn".

"Drivers are already feeling the pinch with rising pump prices, so the last thing they'd want or expect is to be hit for a parking charge just for sitting in the queue," he said.

(BBC article continues)

[JayMac]

It must be remembered that a lot of these private parking companies are just former cowboy clampers in a suit and tie. Trying and failing to police themselves through independent (yeah right) appeals services. They have zero interest in getting their house in order as that doesn't bring in the moolah. You can be charged more for an alleged parking contract breach than court fines for a crime against the person.


I've never wavered in my opinion of private parking companies. Scum of the earth. That said, I'd like them to continue their shady practices for the moment. Because, like clamping on private land, legislation will finally catch up with them and put them out of business. As a start, local councils should be given the power to insist (through Section 106 orders) that new developments with public access car parks are not permitted to have third party parking 'management'. The landlord and/or tenant must do it themselves.

[Bob_Blakey]

If the title of this thread is a true reflection of what is happening in some places on what planet is an 'investigation' required? Are we now being conditioned to not accept the evidence of our own eyes?

If it looks like a stalling tactic.....

[Clan Line]

It must be remembered that a lot of these private parking companies are just former cowboy clampers in a suit and tie.

I've never wavered in my opinion of private parking companies. Scum of the earth.

Yes..............and No !

The basic problem is that for every "cowboy clamper" there is, there are thousands of "cowboy parkers". The current law is a mess because successive governments have tried to solve the parking problem with a one Law covers it all approach- it doesn't !!  I live in an apartment block, we have 2 car parks and a Private approach road. All of these are fair game for a cowboys looking to park somewhere for free. The only legal solution we have is to employ a parking company. Some of which are undoubtedly run by get-rich- quick merchants.
If you own a house with front on-site parking there is nothing you can do to stop other people parking there - other than a gate, a chain or some other physical barrier. If they are already there, you are powerless until they drive away.

If we (where I live) were allowed to clamp people parking on our property, the problem could be solved almost over night. No money involved - just clamp them and greatly inconvenience the parking cowboy. The message would soon get home when people realise that the property owner can use clamps - or similar.

Of course the problem is not helped by local Councils continually reducing the roadside parking times and upping car park fees - and then outsource the parking control to a bunch of potential cowboys  ...........but I won't do down that rabbit hole.

[JayMac]

Private road you say?

Why not have a barrier installation and management of that rather than pay a private parking cowboy?

PPCs only make money AFTER someone has allegedly parked where they shouldn't. Prevent them doing so in the first place.

[eightonedee]

It's not quite thar simple, Jaymac.

Clan Line and all his neighbours need to agree, firstly because a barrier is likely to be an interference with the right of way that each individually enjoys (if so, the objection of just one will defeat the idea). Secondly you need to agree the cost, and if it is not currently covered by the service charge prudently the leases all need to be changed to cover it. If it is any kind of powered barrier you'd also likely need a maintenance contract. After looking into all that the residents might conclude that the occasional inconvenience from an inconsiderate unauthorised parker is less hassle and something they can put up wi3.

[JayMac]

Well, they've all managed to agree to have a private parking cowboy. 

[Clan Line]

Private road you say?

Why not have a barrier installation and management of that rather than pay a private parking cowboy?

PPCs only make money AFTER someone has allegedly parked where they shouldn't. Prevent them doing so in the first place.

Do you know the cost of such a barrier  ?? Plus upkeep, etc, etc. Others, and their visitors, have right of way down the road (we have NO problem whatsoever with these people, they park on their property).

As I said earlier, the biggest problem is the LAW - it operates in the interests of the BIG car park operators.................including Councils. It is also riddled with loopholes which allow the cowboy clampers to operate............YOU try getting (from DVLA^▸ (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency)) the details of the owner of a vehicle that keeps on parking on your front drive.

"Preventing" these people is relatively easy.....................but the LAW won't let us do it !

[Bob_Blakey]

.....YOU try getting (from DVLA^▸ (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency)) the details of the owner of a vehicle that keeps on parking on your front drive.....

Which reminds me of a, very probably apocryphal, story - on t'interweb of course - concerning a homeowner who returns to find a vehicle parked on their drive. The homeowner places his vehicle across the driveway access and waits for the inevitable. Owner of errant vehicle knocks on the door and demands that the homeowner move his car. This request receives a negative response, and after a prolonged argument the 'illegal parker' carries out his threat to call the police. Coppers arrive and knock on the door with, presumably, a view to asking the homeowner to shift his car. Homeowner declines to so do on the basis that they are far too intoxicated to move their vehicle even a short distance on the public highway and produces a number of empty beer cans in support of his claim. The police inform both parties that there is nothing further they can do and leave.

The story as submitted failed to state how long the errant vehicle remained trapped. Even if true I am pretty sure the tale originated in the USofA so it is entirely possible the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) police response would be somewhat different (e.g. not bothering to turn up at all  ).