I got £100 fine after free parking was cut – OAPs are being discriminated

A DISABLED pensioner says elderly drivers are being discriminated against after she was fined £100 when her free parking allowance was cut by an hour.

Pam Green, 66, from Ashton, Greater Manchester, was slapped with a fine after visiting her local shopping centre Robin Retail Park.

1

She has multiple sclerosis, and said she previously got four hours of free parking, but was “stunned” to see she had got the fine after returning to her car within this timeframe following a recent shopping trip.

That is because little did she know that her free parking allowance had been cut to three hours.

She told SWNS Leeds: “Being a frequent user I didn’t even check, which is partly my fault but it is still being advertised online at four hours which is misleading.

“It is insufficient time. I strongly feel this is discrimination for elderly people who aren’t as quick on their feet as younger shoppers.”

Pam said that she returned within four hours to her car after visiting Bensons for Beds, Boots and Burger King.

But because she was unaware she now only gets three hours free, she was hit by a £100 penalty.

Pam said she was “pretty upset” at the fine, and thinks elderly shoppers will be put off going for trips to their local stores if shopping centres start to withdraw free parking incentives.

“I am a law-abiding pensioner who feels punished for just going shopping,” she said.

How to appeal a parking fine

If like Pam you’ve received a parking fine you’re not happy about, you can appeal it to try get it cancelled.

First of all, you need to work out whether the parking ticket came from the council, or a private car parking firm – like a supermarket or shopping centre.

Fines from the council

If it has come from the council, they are called a fixed penalty notices (FPN) or penalty charge notices (PCN).

If a Penalty Charge Notice was issued by the local council, unless you have grounds to appeal, you should pay up.

Here you have broken the law. The penalty is just that – a genuine penalty or fine – not just a “charge”.

If you do have a compelling, or very persuasive reason for appealing, the council can use its discretion to decide whether to cancel the notice.

The first step is to complain to the council in writing, with any witness statements or photographs included.

If the council accepts your reasons for appealing, your fine will be cancelled and you’ll have nothing to pay.

If the council rejects your reasons, you will be sent a notice. You will then have 28 days to make a formal appeal or the charge could increase.

Fines from private firms

If the fine was dished out by a private car parking firm, you need to go to the company who issued it, which should be displayed on your ticket.

You’ll need to tell them you’re challenging the fine and why, showing any evidence if you have it. According to Popla this could be:

• A crime reference number if the vehicle was stolen
• Photographs, for instance if you think that the signage was inadequate
• Pay and display voucher, for example, if you say it was displayed and had not expired
• A witness statement

Evidence could be photos, videos or scanned documents – remember to keep the originals and send a copy.

You can take the claim to Popla if the company is part of a trade body called the British Parking Association (BPA).

If the company is part of the International Parking Community (IPC) you can appeal to the Independent Appeals Service.

If you are successful you won’t have to pay the fine. If you’re not successful you will have to pay, and this could include late charges too.