Tonight on Dispatches on Channel 4 at 8pm ... we attempt to get a parking ticket in Westminster.A couple of weeks ago we filmed in London for the programme with the F1 NED vehicle in an attempt to show Parking Attendants issuing tickets in unlawfully marked bays.
Trouble was that we couldn't get a ticket BUT we record a Parking Attendant alleging that Westminster City Council was obtaining money unlawfully.
First we tried Norris Street in an illegally marked bay. Normally happy hunting ground for Parking Attendants but it was nearly 90 minutes before one appeared. I was standing over the other side of the street with a coffee when I observed the PA take notes and begin to walk away.
I challenged her and asked if she was going to issue a Penalty Charge Notice but she replied that she had just been taking down details of the website in case she needed to appeal.
She would not issue a PCN and when it was explained that the bay was unlawful she said that she was aware because 'she had seen something on the internet.'We then relocated to Suffolk Place ... opposite New Zealand House where the Parking and Traffic Appeals Service is based.
The street is 'Pay by Text / Phone' both sides but there is also a pay and display machine still operating. The day previously the F1 NED vehicle had acquired a PCN at this location ... for failure to pay by text even though a pay and display ticket had been purchased and was clearly visible in the window.
The doorman of the nearby hotel had stuck a notice on the machine because he had seen so many motorists conned in a similar fashion.
However, Herron with vehicle and crew meant scarcity of Parking Attendants. We purchased a pay and display ticket ... and waited ... and waited.
Hours passed and then eventually a Parking Attendant appeared but could not be coaxed into issuing. He claimed that they had reported the fact that the machine was still accepting money and Westminster had been asked weeks ago to remove it but their requests had been ignored. They had continued however, to issue tickets ... but today, with cameras present he declined.
Hours passed and then eventually a Parking Attendant appeared but could not be coaxed into issuing. He claimed that they had reported the fact that the machine was still accepting money and Westminster had been asked weeks ago to remove it but their requests had been ignored. They had continued however, to issue tickets ... but today, with cameras present he declined.If you have suffered the same fate then drop us a line at enquiries@parkingappeals.co.uk
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