Parking news

I had an appointment at a hospital in Cambridge ten days ago.

Nothing major but my wife volunteered to drive me there in her car because, when I had a previous appointment at another hospital in the city, it took me ages to find a parking space outside the hospital and I got a bit stressed thinking I might miss my appointment.

In desperation I eventually parked in one of four disabled bays directly outside the entrance which the smiling receptionist said was absolutely fine. (I wish I’d known that half an hour earlier!)

This time there were ample parking spaces and no parking fees for patients so all I had to do when I walked into the hospital was register the number plate on a digital screen in the waiting area, which I did.

Imagine my surprise, then, when my wife yesterday received a parking fine for £60 that will go up to £100 if we don’t pay within 14 days.

I couldn’t get my head around it, but I then worked it out. Instead of entering the registration number for my wife’s car, I had entered that of my own car.

My wife, naturally, wants me to fight the fine. I’ll happily write back, notifying the company of my (inadvertent) error in the hope the fine is rescinded.

In my experience, however, parking companies very rarely back down, and it can take months to achieve anything, by which time debt collection agencies are often involved and the penalty continues to go up.

Ultimately it was my mistake and I think I’d rather pay the £60 now (before it increases to £100 or more), and move on.

PS. I did win a battle with a parking company once, but on that occasion there was absolutely no fault on my part and I was determined to see ‘justice’ done.

I’m not sure I want to go through it all again, though.

See Taken for a park and ride and What a palava.