Unexpected £100 Fine for Waiting in Carwash Queue | Consumer Affairs Alert

My husband experienced a frustrating situation at the Applegreen petrol station near our home in Bristol. He had to endure a long queue at the carwash, only to receive a shocking £100 fine (£60 if paid within a fortnight) from the car park management firm Parkingeye.

We promptly appealed the fine and provided evidence of the carwash ticket, receipt, and credit card payment. However, our appeal was unjustly rejected. Determined to resolve this issue, we approached the petrol station staff, who assured us that they would cancel the fine.

To our dismay, we received a “final notice” from Parkingeye, threatening further actions such as hiring a debt recovery firm or pursuing legal action if we failed to pay the £100 fine. We made another attempt to seek assistance from the petrol station staff, but they seemed incapable of helping us. This situation was clearly unfair and unreasonable.

– MW, Bristol

I often receive letters from readers sharing their struggles with parking charges. The increasing use of parking apps and number plate recognition software has turned the simple task of using a car park into a complex technological nightmare.

In your case, the cameras at the forecourt monitored the duration of a car’s presence rather than the actions of its owner. This resulted in the unjust fine, as your time at the carwash was mistakenly considered a violation.

Fortunately, after contacting the Applegreen head office, they intervened and cancelled the fine. They have also reached out to you personally to apologize for the inconvenience caused.

Applegreen clarified that you should not have been charged in this situation. They regret the failure of their local staff to cancel the fine when you initially queried it, considering you were clearly waiting for a carwash. Applegreen is committed to resolving the matter and extends their sincere apologies.

Despite the threatened consequences, you remained steadfast in your decision not to pay the charge. It was indeed puzzling to receive a fine for simply queueing at a carwash. This incident serves as a reminder for everyone to be vigilant about signage indicating the maximum allowed stay at parking facilities. Fortunately, your parking tale has a happy ending.

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