UNBELIEVABLE PARKING FINE FARCE Post Reply

[clapset]

So - just got a call form council my car was parked in a suspended bay - they have issued a ticket and moved it to the next available street. I'm told they expect me to check every couple of days that the car can be parked there ... what a bunch of idiots. I don't mind them moving my car because it's in someone's way but to be fined when you have no idea is beyond comical. I use my car once a week at most because I cycle to work. I can't park outside my house because of the NAPO offices and the number of flats on Chivalry Road. If I'd been at home I would have gladly moved the car but I'm in W1 working hard to pay the tax that keeps 10 people in a job at Wandsworth council. Is it me or is this a joke? Makes me want to move out of London ...

[clapset]

Now the council doesn't know where my car is ...

Anyone seen a grey range rover sport mysteriously driving around Northcote Road on its own...

There's no rat problem in Northcote Road but the Ghosts are a real pain ...

Reward for finder ... first to email me gets a surprise present!

[junior1]

Think I may have solved the mystery for you! Just sent you an email

[Wheresmyschool?]

Its a real problem.

I spoke to the council about three years ago because I went on holiday and in the meantime they suspended the parking bay and then towed my car.

Over £200!!!

On the phone they said I should check my car every day.

I said are you saying I can't go on holiday ever?

What about medical emergencies?

Get a friend to check it was their response!

Are you recommending my friend drives my car uninsured? Is that the official line from the council?

They quickly backtracked but it is a real problem.

Basically this is one of those issues that affects very few people but those it does affect get very angry, and with good reason.

[jenwaken]

This just happened on Wakehurst Road for tree trimming! I was home, so had moved my car, but I know neighbours were out of town and the signs went up on the street only the afternoon before! I asked the guy supervising the tow truck, and he claimed 'the entire street had been leafleted'. I know we didn't get a leaflet, and I assume most of our street hadn't either. I think notification should be by post, at least! Absolutely ridiculous. Complete disregard for the residents of the council by the people who live here and ultimately PAY them!

[busyMouse]

I just booked a parking suspension for next week as we are moving abroad and Wandsworth coucnil say you have to arrange the suspension a full five clear working days beforehand, apparently so they have enough time to inform everyone on the street. So it does seem a bit unfair people aren't actually being informed properly!
Something else that was so frustrating for me was their arbitrary rule that you have to suspend the same amount of parking bays on consecutive days - I only wanted to suspend 2 parking bays the first day as the movers are just bringing a smaller truck to pick up some smaller items, and then six bays the second day when they bring their big truck, but I was told I would have to book six bays on both days - which costs me an extra £100! Not to mention I'm now suspending an extra four bays unnecessarily that I'm sure people on my street would very much like to park their cars in. Grr!

[daddy72]

I'm a bit split on this - If you've gone on holiday then contest it and they should waive the charge.

We booked a suspension two weeks before we moved - the signs went up a clear two weeks prior. On the day of the move 3 cars were parked in the area - the warden knocked on the doors of the owners, one came out and moved it the other 2 got no reply so a truck came and moved them and ticketed them.

I was talking to the removal guys about this and how i thought the fine was harsh but they mentioned that if the cars were not moved they wouldn't have been able to do their job and I would have lost out on the money I'd already paid and have to pay again to reschedule...

In this case I changed my attitude - I knew the cars owners were around in the days prior. I'd paid for a service from the council - If they hadn't have enforced it I could have been over £400 out of pocket. Would that be fair for me because people couldn't spot a big yellow sign near to where they parked?

In most cases all it takes is a little bit of responsibility as a car owner. In the cases where the council are clearly at fault then I'll grab a pitchfork and flaming torch and march down to the council office with you.

[Annabel (admin)]

This is interesting - looks like holiday fines/suspension can be challenged!

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/m ... 53931.html

[Claire M]

I successfully challenged Lambeth over a suspension that was notified and implemented while I was on holiday - I sent them details of my flights. There are some statutory notice periods councils are supposed to adhere to in order to enforce the suspension.

Good luck.

[Jen66]

Another problem is that the parking suspension notices are often erected a long way from where the spaces that are being suspended.

There's currently a notice up on my road about a skip arriving. The notice is on the lampost outside No 24...about a suspension at No 2