Anger as Car Park Users Fined Due to Ticket Machine Error

9.58.03am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 29th Apr 2008

The Lib Dems have slammed Bedford Borough Council over the news that users of St Peter's Street car park have been issued with fines in spite of the fact that it is impossible to purchase the correct ticket for a stay beyond 6pm

Users of a town centre car park have been left fuming after being slapped with fines thanks to a council error which has made it impossible for the correct ticket to be purchased. Ticket machines at St Peter's Street car park have not been re-programmed correctly following the introduction of new evening parking charges imposed by the borough council. With all tickets becoming invalid at 6pm regardless of the amount paid, many motorists have been hit by penalty notices through no fault of their own, causing anger and confusion.

The Lib Dems are demanding that the situation be rectified immediately. Commenting on the issue, Liberal Democrat Councillor for De Parys Ward (in which the car park is situated) Cllr David Sawyer said:

"It is completely unacceptable that the new charges have been introduced before the machines are ready to issue the correct tickets. This error has caused a great deal of distress for people who have been hit by fines in spite of their attempts to purchase a valid ticket.'

"Three things need to happen immediately. Firstly, the machines must be fixed to enable people to purchase the correct ticket. Parking attendants must stop issuing fines on cars after 6pm until the problem is resolved. Finally, all fines that have been imposed on people due to this error must be dropped, with refunds offered to anyone who has already paid their fine. The sooner this confusion is ended and it is made clear to users of the car park that they will not be fined due to the council's own error the better.'

"This has understandably caused much confusion and anger amongst users of St Peter's Street car park. They are already reeling thanks to the massive increase in parking charges under this Mayor, and they deserve better than to be treated like this."

New parking charges introduced this month have taken the rise in charges under the Mayor since 2002 to a massive 112%. In addition to this hike in existing charges, a new charge of £2 has replaced free parking after 6pm in town centre car parks open in the evening.