Why does the car parking company at my daughter's university try to entrap drivers?

On visiting my student daughter at Sentinel Towers accommodation at Leeds University on Saturday 12 October, I parked in a nearby carpark. The gate was open, the kiosk locked and un-manned, and signs stated that permits must be displayed at all times. A further sign stated that tickets are issued Mon-Fri, between 6:45 am and 9:15 am. A third sign referred to Total Parking (presumably the company's name), and the tariff. There was nothing to suggest that weekend parking was other than free. Three other cars arrived, all obviously students’ parents, but there was consternation regarding whether parking was indeed free. On calling one of the two numbers displayed, I was told that tickets had to be displayed even at weekends, and that the gate was left open so that the contractors could come in to clamp "illegal" parkers. We all left. This smacks of entrapment. Please can you tell me what my rights would be had I been clamped?

Asked on 21 December 2013 by CJ, Preston

Answered by Honest John
Express your outrage to whoever owns the property (presumably the university). It is now illegal to clamp cars on ungated private property in the UK but legal as long as there are gates, whether left open or not. See: www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/private-parking-penalties/
Similar questions
I am the registered keeper of a car that was given a private parking ticket. I was not driving the vehicle at the time and I supplied the driver’s name and address as requested. The parking enforcer has...
I've received a parking penalty after parking in a pub car park when we had Sunday lunch there on 15 September. I was en route to hospital to be induced (I was 12 days over my due date). Preoccupied by...
Yesterday I received a Parking Charge Notice. I put the money in the machine and did not receive a ticket. I put a notice in the windscreen to that effect. I have written a letter protesting my innocence...
 

Value my car

Save £75 on Warranty using code HJ75

with MotorEasy

Get a warranty quote

Save 12% on GAP Insurance

Use HJ21 to save on an ALA policy

See offer