Forum Topic

I got zero tolerance for my O for 0 typo at the car park

I saw this article in the Guardian regarding Ealing Council car parking fine"I proved I had paid on the app, but Ealing council insists I pay a fine or go to court"..link below:https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/jan/14/i-got-zero-tolerance-for-my-o-for-0-typo-at-the-car-park

Ana Strachan ● 170d5 Comments

I understand that according to Clause 6.3 Keying Errors, of the new Private Parking Sector Single Code of Practice, published in June 2024 -"Where the terms and conditions require the driver to supply their vehicle registration mark at an on-site machine, by telephone or online, the parking operator must have and follow a documented policy and procedure to avoid issuing or enforcing a parking charge in respect of accidental keying errors."

Nigel Powell ● 157d

All councils are now using fines as a way to supplement income and given the financial pressures it is not hard to understand why. However, it is clearly an abuse of power to insist on payment in a case like this. The council should conduct itself in the same way as private parking companies have to and not enforce fines that are patently unfair. A self imposed code of practice would have minimal impact on revenue but reduce the pernicious undermining of trust between the council and residents.

Alan Fairchild ● 157d

I had the same issue last year but in Hounslow. I appealed and they immediately backed down. Its an easy mistake to make. Thank goodness I was just over the council border!

Chris Hurley ● 165d

This is very much the case in Gunnersbury Park where the Park gets all the pay-and-display money so the operators rely on fines for their income and will do anything they can to get them.

Susan Kelly ● 167d

i learnt something interesting about  public carparks recently. It seems they make their money from fines, not from being paid by the owners. Did you know? I now understand why initial appeal usually fail but a willingness to fight fine in Court will cost money and might not be worth it to the car park administrators.

Maire Lowe ● 169d