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TICKET ordeal: Len Shurmer
Day in court with parking ‘bullies’
Kirsty Elleray5/ 9/2007
FURIOUS drivers want their day in court with Excel Parking – and are backing a disabled pensioner’s protest over a fine at Stockport’s Peel Centre.
Dozens of angry drivers have written to the Stockport Express claiming the company have used "bullying" tactics to get them to pay fines.
Disabled driver Pauline Lane, of Hazel Grove, aged 53, wrote to us after reading about 82-year-old Len Shurmer’s ordeal.
Excel Parking Ltd slapped him with a £60 fine when he parked outside Toys R Us to buy presents for his grandchildren. He parked in a disabled bay displaying his badge but did not realise he also had to buy a 40p parking ticket.
He says the only indication of the regulation is a tiny sign at the entrance to the car park.
Pauline said: "What happened to Len is a disgrace. In September 2006 I parked in a disabled bay, displaying my badge clearly. I went into a shop, and then drove home.
"Over three months later I received a notice from Excel Parking for a fine of £100, which stated I parked in a designated disabled person’s parking place without clearly displaying a valid badge.
"To say I was shocked is an understatement. I wrote back to appeal because it was just not true. The attendant was telling bare faced lies.
"I am currently awaiting my court summons. I have done absolutely nothing wrong and I refuse to be bullied."
Pensioner Ken Sloan, of Macauley Road, Stockport, said he has been waiting for his day in court for six and a half years.
The 81-year-old displayed a disabled badge and went into a store to pick up a parcel.
He said: "I saw a parking attendant standing by my car, I stood beside him but he continued to write a parking offence notice. He then told me there was a charge of 40p, but would not let me pay it. "I wrote to Excel and received a demand for £50. I was told there could be court proceedings."
Martyn Attwood, technical director for Excel Parking said: "It is the motorist’s responsibility to comply with regulations and not the attendant’s job to tell people to buy a ticket. The attendants are not paid for giving out fines, nor do they get commission for the amount they issue. It is a private car park and blue badge holders are not exempt from parking regulations."
A spokesman for Stockport Council, added: "We have had 10 complaints since January 2007 about Excel. We are not investigating the company as they have not done anything illegal. However, if there are people who have received tickets who feel particularly aggrieved, we advise they contact Consumer Direct on 0845 4040506."
Most recent 2 of 7 user comments
I believe that passing themselves off in this way is totally unacceptable and there should be complete regulation of this sector by the authorities, not some self regulation by interested parties, and all documentation should quite clearly be identified as a private firm working for private landowners and that there is no opportunity for misrepresentation that would lead members of the public to pay up because they believe that the `Fine¿ was official in some way.
My recommendation for anyone who falls fowl of these cowboys is to visit the free legal advice website, www.roadsidelawyer.co.uk
Who have an array of examples, some including Excel Parking Services see link below:
http://www.roadsidelawyer.co.uk/smartfolders/questions-involving-private-parking-operators
And take their advice!
11/09/2007 at 16:58
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1/10/2007 at 16:58