“I’m pleased to see the new double red lines replace the yellows and a more prominent signage as I don’t want to see anyone else falling into this parking trap”

The words of motorist Steen Mauritzon who was issued a £60 parking fine after momentarily pulling up into what appears to be an empty loading area next to the Hilton Garden Inn in Sunderland on June 17.

The new double red lines and more prominent sign. (Inset) Steen Mauritzon with his parking charge notice. | Steen Mauritzon/Neil Fatkin

placeholder image — The new double red lines and more prominent sign. (Inset) Steen Mauritzon with his parking charge notice. | Steen Mauritzon/Neil Fatkin

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.”

Steen was then left stunned when he was notified a week later that he had been issued with the fine by the Parking Group Ltd, the company which manages the parking in the area around the hotel.

The section of road where people have been fined with the double red lines replacing the previous double yellow lines and a new more prominent sign. | Neil Fatkin

After publicising Steen’s story we were inundated with messages on social media of people being fined in similar situations where they had momentarily stopped, sometimes to drop people off, before reversing back and driving away.

Whilst accepting there is signage on the wall outlining parking restrictions and sanctions, the common theme from people who contacted the Echo is they had not been aware of or seen any of the signs as they had not been looking for any signage as they didn’t consider themselves to be parking.

The road leading past the Hilton Garden Inn where the double yellow lines have now been changed to double red. | Neil Fatkin

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.”

These are changes which have now been made.

Steen Mauritzon with a letter informing him about the parking fine. | Steen Mauritzon

Whilst happy with the ‘enhancements’, Steen feels the changes justify his decision to continue to fight his parking charge.

Steen is 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”.

He said: “I’m pleased to see the changes and I see it as a victory of sorts as hopefully this will prevent other people falling into this trap and getting these charges. Whilst the BPA say there has been no breach of their conditions, I do feel the changes are an admission that the previous signage and yellow lines lacked clarity and caused confusion.

“In light of these changes, will there be anyway of other people who’ve been fined in similar circumstances to re-appeal there charges?”

Despite the ‘enhancements’, Steen is adamant - even more so after the changes - he will continue to fight his parking charge.

He said: “I will not be paying this fine and will be happy to see Parking Group Ltd in court to put my case.”

We have contacted the Parking Group Ltd for a response to the changes made and the issues raised by Steen and other motorists who subsequently contacted the Echo.

As yet, we have not received any response.