I’m going to see if I can re-appeal - angry motorists react to changes at parking fine hot spot
"I got four parking tickets in the same week for dropping my daughter off there and they now put the new sign and double red lines up"
The words of Echo reader Natasha Mcculloch who was responding to our story about fellow parking charge recipient Steen Mauritzon after the company which oversees the area replaced the double yellow lines with double reds and installed a much more prominent sign at the roadside.
Steen originally contacted the Echo in the summer after being issued a £60 parking fine from Parking Group Ltd - the company which manages parking in the area around the hotel - after momentarily pulling up into what appeared to be an empty loading area next to the Hilton Garden Inn in Sunderland on June 17.
Steen, from Cleadon, was outraged at the charge after having been timed pulling up for 66 seconds as he pointed out to his daughter where the location of the Beacon of Light is ahead of her attending a football coaching programme.
Steen, 49, said: “After pointing it out I reversed back and drove off. I didn’t even think about parking restrictions as I wasn’t parking.
“I didn’t leave the vehicle at any time. I pulled into the area, pointed out the Beacon of Light and then drove off. I feel like I’ve effectively been fined for pulling in, reversing and driving off.”
Like many readers who contacted the Echo, Steen appealed his parking charge to POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals). After his appeal was turned down, Steen took his case to the British Parking Association (BPA) which according the the Parking Group’s website they are a member.
Whilst the BPA said the site, which is located next to Hilton Garden Inn, did not breach their code of practice, they did email Steen confirming they had been in discussions with Parking Group Ltd to “enhance the site set-up”.
In the correspondence to Steen the BPA stated: “During the investigation, it was noted that some enhancements could be made to improve the clarity of the Terms and Conditions available at the site.
“While it is not our usual process to disclose such internal considerations, on this occasion I am prepared to share that the following changes will be made. The Parking Group have agreed to change the colour of the double lines from yellow to red.
“They will also install a larger replacement sign which will simply detail the core Terms & Conditions in a bold font – for example, NO PARKING ON DOUBLE RED LINES.”
Respondents are particularly concerned by the change from double yellow to double red lines. According to the Government's own Highway Code where there are double yellow lines “you may stop to load or unload or while passengers board or alight”.
Where there are double red lines - which have now been installed in the section of road fines have been issued - this means “no stopping at any time”.
With the changes now made, following publication of Steen’s latest story, we have been inundated with angry readers who feel their parking charges have been unfairly claimed, particularly in view of the ‘enhancements’ implemented.
Robert Usher said: “I had two fines for the same place - I only stopped to pick someone up. It was double yellow lines when I got fined, not the double reds which means no stopping. I’m going to see if I can re-appeal.”
Ritchie Loxley said: “I’m currently being threatened with court by them for reversing from the main road to turn around, taking less than two minutes on each occasion. This was before the new signage and when the double red lines were painted.”
Rob McHenry added: “I received a £60 fine when dropping of my wife who was on crutches and unable to walk far at the time. She was going for rehab physio at the aquatic centre.
“It was double yellow lines at the time and the pics even showed her getting out on her crutches, but they wouldn’t rescind the fine.”
Motorists who contacted the Echo who were fined before the new more obvious signage and red lines were installed said they had not been looking for any signs regarding parking as they had not considered they were about to park.
Paula Robinson said: “This is terrible. I got fined there when it was double yellows and no sign on the bay at that point. I got a fine as I had a blue badge and was taking my mam for dinner in the hotel.
“I said that with a blue badge you can park on double yellows for up to three hours - they wouldn't have it though.”
Philip Robson said: “I was fined after pulling in for 62 seconds. I was only dropping my partner off for cardiac therapy.”
Wayne Chapman added: “I pulled into that space for no longer than 90 seconds and received a £60 fine in June. I paid it and sent in a letter to both parties and received no response.”
Whilst still fighting to have his parking fine rescinded, Steen welcomed the changes as a moral victory in helping to ensure other motorists don’t get fined in similar circumstances to him.
Charlotte Dickinson-Hartley said: “Keep up the good work Steen.”
Claudia Lee added: “I was fined here too. Glad they’ve put a more visible sign up now.”