Archived Topic
Topic ID 870
05/08/2005 by Cariad
WHEN will they get rid of archaic Pay n Display
A few days ago, I parked in Bircheley Green carprk to pick up a prescription from Boots. I am 9 months pregnant (due to pop any day!) and had my 4yr old with me. I paid for an hour, as we didn't want to be long.
Boots didn't have my presceription ready, so we walked around a few shops and then went back. They still didnt have it ready, so we went to the cafe for a drink. FINALLY it was ready, and as we were walking back to the lift to the carpark, my son decided he needed the toilet! So we dashed off to the public loo (as fast as a beached whale and a 4yr old can dash!).
By the time we got back to the car, it was 14:03, and the ticket had ran out at 13:56!!! AND I GOT A TICKET! Its like they were just standing there waiting for the ticket to run out! It was issued at 14:02.
Now i'm not someone who wants to abuse the parking system on purpose - I had a genuine reason for being slightly later back than planned, and I am SO angry that we still have an archaic pay and display system in Hertford, that is being watched minute by minute by wardens who should go and slap a few fines on the countless cars badly parked on Fore Street or something!
We should have a pay on foot system, so that you can be parked as long as you need to without fear of a £30 fine becuase your 4yr old needed the loo at the last minute!
Grrrrrrr. Ok rant over. Needless to say I am avoiding Hertford town from now on. I have had too many disputes with East Herts over their parking policy, and I would much rather drive to Stevenage, or to a big Tescos for whatevr I need. Hertford, you have lost my custom!
Cariad x x
0 replies
Archived Replies
Reply ID 9527
05/08/2005 by sloopjohnb
I realise that after this experience you may not want to return to Hertford! I am not too sure at the moment how we are going to approach District again over Pay on exit. I found the letter in the columns of the Mercury and other correspondence in which Cllr Bob Parker states that District will review or revisit the situation in Hertford. No clue as to when though. And he is no longer the parking guru.
However, would like to print and keep this post as part of the file I keep to support the campaign for Pay on Exit, or Pay on Foot. If you have any objections could you let me know; even though it is a public forum if you would prefer this not to be kept I would respect your wishes.
Reply ID 9533
05/08/2005 by Ewoowar
So what is Bob Parker up to now and who is our current parking guru?
Reply ID 9535
05/08/2005 by Victor Meldrew
Write a letter with a picture of yourself, the parking ticket and the fine. Surely they will understand. If not write another telling them where to poke it.
Reply ID 9538
05/08/2005 by Ewoowar
quote:
Originally posted by Victor Meldrew
Write a letter with a picture of yourself, the parking ticket and the fine. Surely they will understand. If not write another telling them where to poke it.
I agree. They are meant to be reasonable and I believe in your case they would be.
Reply ID 9539
05/08/2005 by Steve
As far as EHDC as concerned, by not displaying a valid ticket you were in breach of their Terms and Conditions and therefore you were given a fine. It's as simple as that. The circumstances surrounding the reason for you breaching the T&C are of no interest to them. That's as far as their "reason" goes. If they agree to overlook your breach on account of your circumstances then that opens the floodgates for people with all sorts of "excuses" that need to be weighed up and decision justified one way or the other and that could involve all sorts of discussions. Not a good use of time and resources in their eyes.
Don't get me wrong, I'm on your side, but you have to understand the mentality of these people. They have their hearts ripped out when they join the council.
Reply ID 9540
05/08/2005 by nora batty
quote:
Originally posted by Ewoowar
I agree. They are meant to be reasonable and I believe in your case they would be.
I doubt it. I was in a similar situation in WGC (only not heavily pregnant) and I wrote a letter of explanation asking them to be reasonable. No dice. Got double fine for arguing with them.
Reply ID 9541
05/08/2005 by GillP
Jez_P Says
They are keeping pay and display to rip people off.
Machines that don't give change and Traffic Wardens ready to pounce.
I had written a long more detailed reply but it just vanished[:(!]
Reply ID 9546
06/08/2005 by sloopjohnb
quote:
So what is Bob Parker up to now and who is our current parking guru?
Bob Parker is now Executive Member for Community Development - swimming pools etc I think.
The new parking guru although Cllr Parker is still answering questions, is Cllr Malcolm Alexander, Mayor of Ware.
Reply ID 9548
06/08/2005 by Ewoowar
quote:
Originally posted by sloopjohnb
quote:
So what is Bob Parker up to now and who is our current parking guru?
Bob Parker is now Executive Member for Community Development - swimming pools etc I think.
The new parking guru although Cllr Parker is still answering questions, is Cllr Malcolm Alexander, Mayor of Ware.
So was the idea to outsource leisure facilities management one of his?
9 replies