Parking fine - can this be right?

After a recent visit to Queen Elizabeth Woolwich hospital, my father returned to his car to find a £60 parking charge notice on his windscreen, courtesy of Euro Car Parks. The reason for the charge was described as "Failure to park in a marked bay". My father noticed that five other cars parked next to him also had notices attached to their screen. My father indicated that the parking bays were very poorly marked, in that the markings were made from faded red block paving that was very hard to distinguish from the regular grey block paving. He took photos of the markings and I was surprised how unclear they are. The fact that the bays were so poorly marked, coupled with a dark misty morning, meant my father had no idea he had parked one foot over a marked bay. Given that it took just one car to park outside a bay, all the other cars, including my fathers, had no option but to park next to the adjacent car, leaving a normal gap. It seems unfair that the actions of one car parking outside of a marked pay, causing another five cars to follow suit, should earn this much revenue for Euro Car Parks, particularly in light of the very poor bay markings. Is there any point in my father appealing?

Asked on 16 March 2016 by russty

Answered by Honest John
In that case, first go through the first stage of the appeals process using your evidence and if the appeal fails let the case go to the Small Claims Track of the County Court and appeal it there. Warn Euro Car Parks in writing that if it sends any letters or notices from debt collectors you will report if for the crime of harassment under the 2007 Harassment Act. There is no enforceable debt without a Court Order.
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