The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Permit holders to be contacted to solve teething problems
Angus Council is to contact hundreds of people who have registered for parking permits to clarify the rules of the new system.
The authority has admitted there have been teething problems with the scheme, which have led to people being ticketed because they have not linked their vehicle registration to the permit being applied for.
Critics have said they are unhappy that meters in the 33 car parks where charges apply do not accept cash and there have been complaints about issues around pre-payment.
Montrose resident Freda McCullough pre-paid for a space in the town’s Lower Hall Street car park earlier this week, but returned from a day out in Dundee to find a £60 penalty charge on her windscreen.
Her husband, Dennis, said: “We didn’t want to get into a tangle at the machine so my wife paid for the day online.
“When she phoned the number online to tell them she had pre-paid they didn’t know anything about it.”
A council spokesman said: “We have been alerted to a limited number of issues with the parking permit scheme and if people experience any difficulties they can get help via our Access line.
“We have received reports where permit holders had not assigned a
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We have received reports where permit holders had not assigned a vehicle to the permit and received a penalty charge notice. SPOKESMAN
vehicle to the permit penalty charge notice.
“If this lady contacts us, an appeal can be lodged and her case will be reviewed on its merits.”
He added: “In the meantime, we will be contacting everyone who has bought a permit to provide clarification that they must be assigned to a vehicle.
“This additional information will also be available on the angus.gov.uk webpages.”
By the November 1 return of charges following an absence of more than 20 years in Angus, more than 200 drivers had opted for a six-month or annual permit. The spokesman also explained the 20p surcharge which applied in some cases.
“The 20p convenience charge applies when purchasing single tickets using the Angus Pay to Park online site only and is an industry standard for such systems across the country.
“This is because the online system offers the user greater flexibility, allowing them to choose a parking period or set when they return to their car.
“The charge is highlighted in the online system to the customer prior to acceptance and purchase of parking.
“If people do not require this additional service, then they can avoid this charge by paying at the meter or purchasing a parking permit.”
gbrown@thecourier.co.uk and received a