Guest Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 I got an unexpected letter today. Allegedly I entered the Lidl Upminster car park at 14.10 on 16th Feb and exited at 16.23 on the same day. Exceeding the length of stay by some 13 mins for which there is a fine of £70. Interestingly I've used this car park for a long time, since way before it was Lidl and I'm always careful not to overstay. This car park is often VERY full on a Saturday and you drive in and queue for spaces. I didn't wait very long as someone was just getting into their car as I pulled in but they were loading up their shopping and were not very sprightly. The other funny thing is I know exactly what time I parked and that I got back into the car almost exactly 2 hours later - of course I then faffed about soriting James out and waiting for Mum to get in and that will account for the rest of the "over" time. The technology is not as clever as it thinks as it has only timed me entering and exiting the car park rather than the time I was parked, or where I was parked. Fortunatley there was a little footnote (in very small print) stating that registered disabled people get DOUBLE the parking time (I did not know this!). The reason I know what the time was was because I helped James to set it on the blue badge when we parked in a disabled bay and I commented when we got back that we were almost bang on our time. The technology also can't be checking that the disabled bays are being used by those who need them and not all and sundry. When there are no disabled bays I have to let Mum out before I park as she needs the door fully open to exit the car. Mind you now I know you get extra time I'll be using the badge even when I'm not in the disabled bays - just in case the "robots" take a day off and "people" start doing the job again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairy&cake Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 argh how annoying!! We have a blue disabled badge for our car. Id be livid if this happened to us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 What really annoys me is the amount of times I've dropped Mum and James down by the park then gone to QUEUE to get a space in this car park. Often I've driven in then waited inside the car park in a queue of cars waiting for someone to come out. This camera is taking picutres of cars coming in so if it's busy and you queue your time allowance will be ticking away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 That really is out of order Pengy; you must be fuming. You go get them girl! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaR Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Interestingly, there was a similar thing on 'Watchdog' this evening. Apparently, if they are not government or council owned 'parking services' then they do not have a legal leg to stand on. Without knowing the exact details of who owns the car park, then I would advise to watch the program online (or on replay if you have digital) and possibly respond against the charge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Blimey! I don't see how they can enforce the fine Peng. Are you going to pay it? Clever of them isn't it........they will have a steady income from the elderly and frail who will be terrified and will stump up. £70 is a lot of money for 13 mins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbug Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Never knew they did that. Big brother certainly watching! Will be timed on everything just now.....spending a penny. Must be something to be done for not paying it. Especially for 13 mins. It is getting a bit ridiculous now. Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Luckily I don't have to pay it as I was displaying a blue badge and the small print said you get double the time if you are registered disabled. Its very cheeky though to be doing it like this on cameras, as I said you frequently drive into that car park and wait for a space. Before it was the ALDI car park it was a public car park and there has always been a time restriction in there. Interestingly there are no pay car parks around there - so I'm not sure what you do if you want more than 2 hours! We take a long time because James likes to go to the park there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Crikey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...