Woman's anger after getting £60 fine for waiting 8 minutes in car park
A woman was left baffled after being charged £60 for waiting in a car park for less than 10 minutes.
It is operated by a private company, I Park Services, and serves as the car park for an Iceland supermarket.
However, the Iceland supermarket is shut, but the car park charges are still active.
Their terms state that parked vehicles must display either a "valid ticket" or "parking permit", unless they are paying digitally, in which case the vehicle registration must be entered "fully and correctly".
A number of drivers in Hull have been caught out by the car park, with some assuming that charges are no longer active following the closure of the Iceland store.
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Even though Iceland has closed - you still need to pay for the car park (Rich Addison)Most recently, one woman was charged £60 after waiting in the car park for only eight minutes while her sister used a nearby shop, HullLIve reports.
On the Hull Traffic & Travel Facebook page, she wrote: "Could anyone tell me if there are any car park notices or pay machines at the old Iceland store on Spring bank, as I stopped there whilst my sister went to a shop on the opposite side of the road whilst I sat in the car as double yellow lines and bus lane on road.
"Didn’t see any parking notices and were no cars apart from mine in there at 9.15 pm, received £60 fine week later for waiting 8 min.
"Had I known this was going to occur I would have been better on double yellows! Just wondered if anyone ignored the letter from iparkservices as don’t know if it’s a scam?
"Can’t see nothing on Google Earth about charges and, as I live in Selby, I only visit occasionally, even less if I have to pay this! Any help would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks."
Another woman faced a similar problem, replying with: "Yes there is. Got done there myself last year for staying 4 mins while husband went to shop."
A man added: "I got one as well tried to appeal but didn’t work so ended up paying it."
A fourth shared her experience, saying: "I was fined a couple of years ago when I went to takeaway. I left my adult son in car, who has some learning disabilities and someone from the company took a photo of my car so couldn't ignore it.
"It was at night so shop was closed and the notice is hidden in the left side as you drive in so wouldn't see it if not looking. Did your notice have a photo of your car in car park as if not, what proof do they have?"
On their signage at the Norwood Street car park, I Park Services clearly state that a breach of their terms will result in a fine of up to £100, along with an additional charge of £60 if it is not paid within the deadline. However, some commentators argue that Tracey should not have been charged due to the 10-minute grace period implemented by many car parks.
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Unfortunately, this appears to be dependent on whether they are members of an accredited trade association. Parking operators who are members of such associations, such as the British Parking Association (BPA) or International Parking Community (IPC), should give drivers a 10-minute grace period before issuing a parking charge notice.
A spokesperson for I Park Services said: "There is often confusion over the term ‘Grace Period’. The code of practice defines a grace period as 'a period of time allowed after a period of paid parking’.
"Therefore, a grace period can only apply to a car park which is a pay & display where the driver has actually made a payment for parking. The law states that a grace period of 10 minutes should apply where a payment has been made. If no payment has been made a grace period is not applicable.
"In parking terms, a ‘Consideration Period’ is a period of time where the driver of the vehicle makes a decision to either accept the terms and conditions of parking and remain in the car park or to reject the terms and conditions and leave the car park immediately. Currently, there is no set period of time that applies to car park operators which when the new Parking Bill comes into force there is suggestion that a period of 10 minutes would apply.
"Presently each car park operator can set a consideration period for car parks that they manage on an individual basis. The car park in question has a consideration period of 2 minutes whereby if a vehicle remains after 2 minutes and a payment has not been made a parking charge notice will be issued.
"Unfortunately, the lady in question has been misinformed and it is legal to issue a parking charge notice after a period of consideration has been given."
The Mirror contacted I Park services for a comment.
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