I abandoned my car to feed my baby after getting stuck in queue out retail park…now I’ve been slapped with £100 fine
A MUM who abandoned her car to feed her baby has shared her fury over being slapped with a £100 fine.
She says she was stuck in a massive queue as she tried to exit a Newcastle retail park.
The mum says she gave up on waiting in the line after 45 minutes as her tot was getting hungry.
Instead, she headed back into Wolstanton Retail Park and found a cafe to feed her youngster.
She said she hung around inside to give the queue time to settle down.
The mum said that as a result she didn't leave the car park until after the four-hour limit was up, and has now been hit with the £100 ticket.
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She told at the time: "I'm outside M&S in Wolstanton and I've been stuck on the car park for 45 minutes. No-one is moving. Avoid this area.
"We've called M&S and the parking company to try to find out what is happening."
The mum says she drove into the retail park at 1.41pm on Friday March 8.
She said she didn't manage to get out until 6.17pm - 36 minutes over the four-hour parking limit.
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Queues at the park were later blamed on a car breaking down on a nearby road.
The parking ticket says it will be dropped down to £60 if the mum pays it within two weeks.
The penalty reads: "The terms and conditions of the car park were clearly and prominently displayed and were agreed with by the driver when the vehicle was parked on the private land.
"The driver is therefore required to pay the outstanding parking charge due to the breach.
"If no payment or representation is received within 28 days the outstanding debt will be forwarded to a debt recovery agency."
It comes after worshippers were left fuming after being slapped with £70 fines while attending Easter Sunday services.
More than half a dozen cars received tickets outside the Our Lady of Light and St Osyth Catholic Church, in Church Road, Clacton, Essex, on Sunday morning.
Several members of the congregation parked in the road which is painted with a single yellow line and parking is restricted between 9am and 6pm.
'Saddening' parking fines
They now face having to cough up £70 in fines, or £35 if paid within 14 days, having been given the penalty charge notices.
One of the motorists, from St Osyth, told the it was “saddening” to see parking wardens giving out fines for the faithful during what is a very special day in the Christian calendar.
They said: “It is very upsetting to be slapped with a parking ticket on what should be a celebration.
“I walked past at least half a dozen cars in a row with parking tickets on them – and I’m sure there were more.
“Easter Sunday is obviously very busy in church, it was packed – and there’s not a lot of parking available near the church.
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“A number of the congregation are elderly and they can’t walk too far.
“I mistakenly thought the restrictions weren’t in place on a Sunday, but after getting the ticket I realised the spot was restricted. But it feels very callous on Easter Sunday.”
How to fight an unfair parking fine:
You need to go to the company issuing the notice in the first place - this should be on the notice or ticket you get.
This could be from a private car parking firm, supermarket or other firm, but not the council or police (we've got more on how to appeal those below).
You'll need to tell them you're challenging the fine and why, showing any evidence if you have it. According to Popla this could be:
- A crime reference number if the vehicle was stolen
- Photographs, for instance if you think that the signage was inadequate
- Pay and display voucher, for example, if you say it was displayed and had not expired
- A witness statement
Your evidence can be images, videos or scanned documents but make sure they are copies as originals can't be returned.
You can use a to write to them.
You can take the if the company is part of a trade body called the British Parking Association (BPA).
If the company is part of the International Parking Community (IPC) you can appeal to the
Both of these are independent services. Unfortunately if the company is not part of these bodies you can't use the schemes.
You'll need the number from your original parking notice and your car registration number.
While you appeal, the parking operator may add additional fees for later payment as the notice is not suspended during this time.
These are the most common reasons for appealing:
- The car was stolen
- The car wasn't improperly parked as stated in the parking notice
- The amount being charged is incorrect
- Extreme circumstances prevented you from complying with parking conditions, for instance a medical emergency or car breakdown
If you are successful you won't have to pay the fine. If you're not successful you will have to pay, and this could include late charges too.
If you still don't pay the company after your appeal is rejected the company can take you to court.
The court can force you to pay the fine plus more money on top if you lose.
You can "pay under protest" and make a small claim to get your money back, but there's no guarantee and you'll have to pay a fee.