A couple from Wales was fined £100 after leaving a car park in Dorset when they couldn’t find a parking space. Steve Cottrell, a 63-year-old NHS nurse from Ruthin, North Wales, and his partner Joy, 56, entered the Old Town (West) Car Park in Weymouth on July 15 during a holiday trip. However, upon finding no available parking spaces, Steve checked the ticket machine and discovered the contactless payment system was broken and the prices were high. Due to this, they decided to leave and search for another parking spot.
Upon returning home, the couple received a £100 fine from Parkingeye, the car park management company, citing that Steve exceeded the five-minute grace period by one minute and 12 seconds. Steve felt it was unjust to be fined for such a small timeframe and decided to appeal the charge. Despite his efforts, the appeal was rejected, leading him to reach out to MPs and the Prime Minister for assistance in resolving the issue.
After several months of back and forth, Parkingeye eventually agreed to cancel the fine as a goodwill gesture. Steve expressed his frustration at being penalised for what he deemed as an unreasonable time limit, highlighting the challenges faced by motorists in such situations.
During his stay in Weymouth, Steve and Joy encountered heavy rain while searching for a parking space. After a brief stop at the Old Town (West) Car Park, they opted to leave due to the broken payment system and high prices. They managed to find an alternative parking spot in a nearby street within six minutes and 12 seconds.
Parkingeye defended their decision, stating that motorists are given a five-minute consideration period before charges apply. Despite this explanation, Steve believed it was unfair to be fined for a brief stop that did not involve parking. The company eventually rescinded the fine, emphasising the importance of adhering to car park rules and tariffs.
The incident shed light on the challenges faced by drivers when navigating parking facilities, especially in unfamiliar locations. Steve’s determination to contest the fine showcased the frustrations experienced by many motorists dealing with similar situations.