Anger and frustration at car park problems
LAST week Raw Deal carried the story of Almondbank woman Wendy Reid’s hroblefs with a parking fine she received after making an error when typing her registration number and asked if anyone had had similar problems. It seems you have.
ON January 27 I visited Admiral Court in Aberdeen for an injection. I signed the visitor book and typed my registration number on the pad.
Ten days later I received a parking notice from Smart Parking. It appeared I’d entered my vehicle registration number incorrectly – by one digit!
I submitted an appeal, but on March 17 I got a notice from a debt recovery company demanding £160.
I phoned Smart Parking which said it had sent an email on February 8 saying my appeal had not been accepted – I didn’t receive that email. I said I was unhappy to pay £160 and that if it had phoned the receptionist, she would confirm my attendance.
I admitted to incorrectly putting in my registration but that this was a genuine mistake. I asked to speak to the manager, but there was no one available. The lady on the phone said they’d reduce the fee to £100 as long as it was paid before 4.30pm that day. I had no option but to pay. – Sheena Allan, Aberdeen
I RECEIVED a fine from Smart Parking. I was in Kinnoull Street in Perth and paid what was requested on the meter. Two weeks later I received a letter saying that I was seven minutes over time.
You are obviously not allowed to say goodbye to friends, load the car with shopping or put a child in a car seat.
I received my first letter in August 2015, then monthly letters until December 2015. Then nothing until this week when I received a letter from a debt recovery firm.
Unfortunately, I did not retain my ticket so have no proof that I paid, but the company must have a record of it.
I feel strongly that as I paid what was requested I should not have to pay this charge.
– Jean Overton, Perth.
I READ your Raw Deal article on parking. I cannot give my name, but have some life experience that might allow me to comment.
If Mrs Wendy Reid was taken to a court in Scotland, I feel the case would be difficult for the pursuer.
The burden of proof in a civil matter lies with the pursuer. Mrs Reid, as the defender, can prove she paid for the service rendered.
A good solicitor might argue that the fact an incorrect registration number was entered into the machine is not intrinsic to the transaction, once payment has been offered and accepted.
The pursuer might be asked to prove in what manner an incorrectly-entered registration number caused them to incur costs of £160, the sum they are asking for.
– Anon.