Victory in Accrington parking row

2:04pm Monday 11th March 2013 in North West Photograph of the Author By Emma Cruces, Reporter

David Whittaker with his parking tickets David Whittaker with his parking tickets

A PARKING row which affected hundreds of people has ended in victory for one couple after an eight-month legal battle.

Hyndburn Council and the area’s MP Graham Jones intervened when scores of tickets were issued to shoppers using a free car park in Accrington.

Now one couple affected by a ticket they received last summer at the privately-owned Eastgate Retail Park are celebrating a victory.

Town leaders said the change from three-hour free parking to 90 minutes was unfair and not clearly signed.

Despite backing from leading figures in the town, Knuzden couple Jean and David Whitt-aker endured an eight-month legal battle with ticket issuers Vehicle Control Services Ltd.

The couple were issued with the ticket in July last year after not spotting signs advising them of the new time limit.

In spite of the retail park saying publicly that the time limit change was a mistake and was being restored, the couple were sent a £60 fine in August.

Following advice from the council and MP Mr Jones, the Whittakers decided not to pay, and in September received a final demand notice.

In January, the stakes were raised when they were threatened with action by a debt collection service. Then last month, they received letters advising them Graham White solicitors, which operates from the same address as Vehicle Control Services, would be pursuing court action that could result in them paying more than £200.

As advised by Hyndburn Council, the couple contacted National Motorist Action Group, which had offered Hyndburn residents caught up in the row free legal backing.

After Vehicle Control Services were contaced by the motorists’ rights group, the ticket has been dropped.

Neil Herron, from NMAG, said: “Common sense has prevailed and the ticket has now been cancelled, and an apology will be forthcoming.

“We have been involved in discussions with Vehicle Control Services Ltd and they have agreed that this should not have happened.”

Mr Whittaker said: “The last stage of things got quite frightening. We are relieved it is all over with. We don’t go out and break the law, so to get letters like that does worry you.”

Comments (5)

6:51pm Mon 11 Mar 13

JohnR1 says...

"We don’t go out and break the law, so to get letters like that does worry you.”

It is NOT the Law nor a fine, it is simply a bill issued by a private company with which you have not made any binding contract. All the wording is aimed at making law-abiding citizens pay up. These sham businesses need to be prosecuted for demanding money with menaces - that may make them think twice about their actions.
"We don’t go out and break the law, so to get letters like that does worry you.” It is NOT the Law nor a fine, it is simply a bill issued by a private company with which you have not made any binding contract. All the wording is aimed at making law-abiding citizens pay up. These sham businesses need to be prosecuted for demanding money with menaces - that may make them think twice about their actions. JohnR1

7:11pm Mon 11 Mar 13

Stone Island: says...

I myself am currently in dispute with a similar company to the one in this article. They keep on sending me 'speculative invoices' hoping i will get scared and cave in to their bully boy tactics. They have another thing coming. I'm also more than a little annoyed at the DVLA, for selling my personal details to these cowboys. As far as I'm concerned, only the police should be able to obtain this information from the DVLA.
I myself am currently in dispute with a similar company to the one in this article. They keep on sending me 'speculative invoices' hoping i will get scared and cave in to their bully boy tactics. They have another thing coming. I'm also more than a little annoyed at the DVLA, for selling my personal details to these cowboys. As far as I'm concerned, only the police should be able to obtain this information from the DVLA. Stone Island:

9:55pm Mon 11 Mar 13

phil kernot says...

It was a parking charge not a fine , if its on private land and probably was , thay would have to take you to county court , can't take you magistrates and judge would ask how much thay have lost , only can say £1 threw lost , parking fee , judge would only make you pay £ 1 and thay would have to pay costs bout £250 , never paid a parking charge ever and if you ask for photographs as proof , thay never take pictures so thay , move on to the next victim
It was a parking charge not a fine , if its on private land and probably was , thay would have to take you to county court , can't take you magistrates and judge would ask how much thay have lost , only can say £1 threw lost , parking fee , judge would only make you pay £ 1 and thay would have to pay costs bout £250 , never paid a parking charge ever and if you ask for photographs as proof , thay never take pictures so thay , move on to the next victim phil kernot

11:23pm Mon 11 Mar 13

JohnR1 says...

Just to add that www.pepipoo.com is an extremely good reference site for all matters related to speeding and parking fines. Not affiliated to them in any way, just passing on the recommendation.
Just to add that www.pepipoo.com is an extremely good reference site for all matters related to speeding and parking fines. Not affiliated to them in any way, just passing on the recommendation. JohnR1

7:28am Tue 12 Mar 13

ray_carlings_moustache says...

http://forums.moneys
avingexpert.com/show
thread.php?t=1363571
http://forums.moneys avingexpert.com/show thread.php?t=1363571 ray_carlings_moustache

Comments are closed on this article.

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree