Topic ID 1179
Another example of the wardens doing their best to meet their targets. My wife in town on Friday. 1st ticket bought for Bircherley Green multi storey from 09:18 to 12:18. The ticket clearly states BG to indicate which car park it is for. After leaving the car park, going home, to work and other shops elsewhere the 2nd car park visited is Gascoyne Way and a ticket is bought at 14:01 to run to 18:01. This clearly states GW to indicate the car park. On returning to the car there is a penalty charge notice stating that the offence was 'parked with additional payment made to extend the stay beyond the first time purchased'...........in other words, meter feeding. My wife paid £3.90 for the pleasure of parking in Hertford and obeyed all of the parking rules. Yet she still got a ticket. To make matters worse she complained to a traffic warden in the Gascoyne Way multi storey. He said that the penalty charge was correct and that it was her fault for leaving the first ticket in the windscreen. Firstly, as the tickets are not transferrable between car parks then how could you be accused of meter feeding between two car parks? And secondly the timing is all wrong. The first expired at 12:18 and the 2nd started at 14:01. I think the trffic warden was playing a heavy han and hoping my wife would just pay up. Dispicable.
Reply ID 13545
I've received a Parking Ticket in Gascoyne Way on Saturday for not showing a valid pay and display ticket. This is true, I wasn't showing a pay and display ticket, but I was clearly displaying my Annual Season Ticket Badge!!! [:(!] The wardens are either poorly trained, ignorant, or under the pressure of target-based pay.
Reply ID 13547
quote:You are very reasonable and charitable........but however much the council tries to tell us the 'attendamts' are not on targets the evidence suggests different. Why else would they be so willing to affix charges when not required and so over zealous in their application of the rules and regulations and that genueinely exist.
Originally posted by elkiev71
I've received a Parking Ticket in Gascoyne Way on Saturday for not showing a valid pay and display ticket. This is true, I wasn't showing a pay and display ticket, but I was clearly displaying my Annual Season Ticket Badge!!! [:(!] The wardens are either poorly trained, ignorant, or under the pressure of target-based pay.
Reply ID 13551
I think there's an issue here for The Mercury to pursue (and Sloop as well) 1. How many tickets have been issued in the first six months of deregulated parking 2. How many of those tickets have been contested 3. How many of those contested tickets have have been revoked (ie appealed successfully) The District Council also needs to come clean about whether or not parking attendents have targets, regardless of whether they're imposed by the District Council or by theiur contractors, Central Parking Services. Back in January, Bob Parker, Executive Member with special responsibility for parking, said: “People who park considerately, observing the regulations and rules on the roads and in our car parks, have nothing to fear about the introduction of our parking attendants" To many people that now sounds like a bad joke. Parking Attendants are now out to issue as many penalty notices as possible, using any and every detail of the parking regulations, regardless of whether or not they'll stick at appeal.
Reply ID 13558
If you park illegally, then you expect to pay a fine. However, if you have parked legally and have followed the various parking rules then should not expect to get a fine. If a parking attendant incorrectly issues a ticket, then surely it is only equitable that the parking attendant / council should pay the incorrectly ticketed driver £60 (£30 if paid within 14 days) for wasting their time - this would focus the big-wigs minds a bit!!!
Reply ID 13562
quote:That is a great idea.
Originally posted by cfjwallis
If you park illegally, then you expect to pay a fine. However, if you have parked legally and have followed the various parking rules then should not expect to get a fine. If a parking attendant incorrectly issues a ticket, then surely it is only equitable that the parking attendant / council should pay the incorrectly ticketed driver £60 (£30 if paid within 14 days) for wasting their time - this would focus the big-wigs minds a bit!!!
Reply ID 13563
Are there any legal experts on DHO? I wonder if it's possible to come up with a "Terms and Conditions" targetted to Traffic Wardens outlining their legal responcibility before issuing a parking ticket. i.e. Before issuing a ticket, I (TEO) hereby accept that if this ticket has been issued in error, myself and, or my employee (EHDC) shall be responcible for any financial cost incurred pursuing the cancellation of the ticket. This can include postage costs, time off work, telephone calls and stress caused by the unnecassary fine. I (EHDC) also agree to print a public apology in the local press. The application of a ticket to this vehicle is acceptance to these terms and conditions and confirm that I agree to this contract. We, the public just print it out and pop it in our dashboard. It's our contract with the Council to make sure they don't continue to stitch up the public with their imaginary parking infrindgements. Would this be legal?
Reply ID 13564
quote:'Imaginary'.........definitely. The warden my wife spoke to to clarify why she had a ticket told her that it was an offence to leave more than one ticket on display in your car. If, as I suspect, this is untrue then I have to assume the warden was lying in an attempt to pressure my wife into just accepting the charge and paying up. Dispicable.
Originally posted by craig
Are there any legal experts on DHO? I wonder if it's possible to come up with a "Terms and Conditions" targetted to Traffic Wardens outlining their legal responcibility before issuing a parking ticket. i.e. Before issuing a ticket, I (TEO) hereby accept that if this ticket has been issued in error, myself and, or my employee (EHDC) shall be responcible for any financial cost incurred pursuing the cancellation of the ticket. This can include postage costs, time off work, telephone calls and stress caused by the unnecassary fine. I (EHDC) also agree to print a public apology in the local press. The application of a ticket to this vehicle is acceptance to these terms and conditions and confirm that I agree to this contract. We, the public just print it out and pop it in our dashboard. It's our contract with the Council to make sure they don't continue to stitch up the public with their imaginary parking infrindgements. Would this be legal?
Reply ID 13565
According to EHDC website http://www.eastherts.gov.uk/Transport_And_%20Streets/Motor_Vehicles_Roads_And_Parking/Car_Parks/index.htm there is nothing to indicate that leaving an old ticket on display is an offence that warrants a penalty notice. There are lots of car slatterns like me who allow a small snowdrift of curly old tickets to accumulate on our dashboards, cleared out once in a while when we claim expenses. That might, I suppose, make the warden's job a tiny bit more difficult but to suggest it is grounds for a penalty is indeed despicable. As Elkiev points out, wardens are probably not trained properly. EHC have the Service Level Agreement with the wardens' employer and should be making more effort to ensure council tax payers get a fair, decent service.
Reply ID 13566
quote:The wardens are not employed by EHDC.
Originally posted by craig
...or my employee (EHDC) shall be responcible for any financial cost incurred
Reply ID 13568
quote:I agree. I checked out the EHDC web site before writing my letter disputing the charge yesterday. I am very confident that the charge will be dropped. However I am also confident that there will be no explanation for why it was made in the first place or for the incorrect statement (lie) made by the parking attendent. It is the attendents job to look at tickets day in day out. They might make the odd mistake but they should know the rules and regulations. I also agree about the service levels. I see this as a service that EHDC has contracted out. In this sense it is no different to contracting out refuse collection or any other contracted service. I would expect that there is someone within EHDC who has accountability for the service and that they should be hold regular service reviews with the supplier. Who is this person in EHDC? How often are the reviews? What is discussed in them? What are the service targets?
Originally posted by Rachel
According to EHDC website http://www.eastherts.gov.uk/Transport_And_%20Streets/Motor_Vehicles_Roads_And_Parking/Car_Parks/index.htm there is nothing to indicate that leaving an old ticket on display is an offence that warrants a penalty notice. There are lots of car slatterns like me who allow a small snowdrift of curly old tickets to accumulate on our dashboards, cleared out once in a while when we claim expenses. That might, I suppose, make the warden's job a tiny bit more difficult but to suggest it is grounds for a penalty is indeed despicable. As Elkiev points out, wardens are probably not trained properly. EHC have the Service Level Agreement with the wardens' employer and should be making more effort to ensure council tax payers get a fair, decent service.
Reply ID 13572
I currently have a number of tickets under appeal........my personal view is that whilst the PA's may not be paid by results, that their performance is certainly measured to ensure that the contract is viable. Where as police traffic wardens were a service, this is a commercial contract that has to make money to avoid the local taxpayers subsidising it. It would certainly be interesting to know how many tickets have been issued, paid appealed and cancelled, and I would guess that the number of appeals and cancellations may be growing. On a more positive note, there is at least one warden who has got some common sense, and I would like to thank him for being sensible, it's just a shame that some of his colleagues don't follow his lead.
Reply ID 13573
quote:My example contract was an example - I'd expect an official version would be drafted by someone with a little more legal background. Hey - It illustrates the idea for an SLA between Traffic Warden and car owner.
The wardens are not employed by EHDC.
Reply ID 13575
Good luck with the appeal - but the EHDC website ( http://www.eastherts.gov.uk/Transport_And_%20Streets/Motor_Vehicles_Roads_And_Parking/Car_Parks/index.htm ) says Penalty Charge Notices Penalty Charge Notices are issued in Pay and Display car parks in East Hertfordshire for the following contraventions: Not displaying a pay and display ticket so that it is clearly visible. Displaying a pay and displaying ticket that has expired. It doesn't specify where the expired ticket comes from, so could it even be from the car park of another council? Looks like they've got themselves covered whichever way.
Reply ID 13578
I think an indication of the number of appeals is that they currently take two months to get around to processing your appeal.
Reply ID 13580
quote:I just checked with the parking office and the offence Displaying a pay and displaying ticket that has expired is not enforced if you have another valid ticket on display.
Originally posted by Stephen
Good luck with the appeal - but the EHDC website ( http://www.eastherts.gov.uk/Transport_And_%20Streets/Motor_Vehicles_Roads_And_Parking/Car_Parks/index.htm ) says Penalty Charge Notices Penalty Charge Notices are issued in Pay and Display car parks in East Hertfordshire for the following contraventions: Not displaying a pay and display ticket so that it is clearly visible. Displaying a pay and displaying ticket that has expired. It doesn't specify where the expired ticket comes from, so could it even be from the car park of another council? Looks like they've got themselves covered whichever way.
Reply ID 13581
quote:Is this an outbreak of common sense on parking? We should make the most of it - it won't last!!
I just checked with the parking office and the offence Displaying a pay and displaying ticket that has expired is not enforced if you have another valid ticket on display.
Reply ID 13583
[quote Displaying a pay and displaying ticket that has expired. [/quote] I reckon this could mean buying a ticket and displaying it. Then your time runs out while you are away from your car. Rather than plastering your windows with hundreds of old tickets.
Reply ID 13584
They did follow this up by saying that to avoid this happenijng in the future I should remove all expired tickets. Well, yes. But it would also be avoided if the 'attendants' could read.
Reply ID 13585
quote:The problem in dealing with the council is they take an Alice in Wonderland approach - it means what they want it to mean
I reckon this could mean buying a ticket and displaying it.
Reply ID 13598
Twice during the middle of the week in Gascoyne Way carpark, as I drive into a space, get out to get a ticket and am half way between the two paying machines, the guy has tried to ticket me and I've literally had to scream down the carpark...for him to wait! They know they have to give you 10 mins to get a ticket apparently, but commonsense is what makes motorists go barking mad. They are just bringing in money for the Council and there doesn't seem to be any commonsense at all here. No wonder some people feel so angry they want to lash out. I don't agree with that behaviour but can fully appreciate why! Enough is enough!
Reply ID 13600
Anyone know if you can appeal a parking ticket if the wardens have put the wrong car colour on it ????
Reply ID 13607
I'm pretty sure that a mate of mine successfully appealed when he was ticketed and they put the wrong colour car. The information on the ticket has to be 100% correct. Rules is rules.
Reply ID 13608
Steer clear of Hoddesdon! £170 parking fines at Aldi http://www.herts-essex-news.co.uk/news/mercury/hoddesdon_mercury/2005/12/09/170%20parking%20fines%20at%20aldi.lpf
Reply ID 13616
quote:Does anyone know where I can get a copy of the rules?. The EHDC website has no mention of them.
Originally posted by JohnSmith
I'm pretty sure that a mate of mine successfully appealed when he was ticketed and they put the wrong colour car. The information on the ticket has to be 100% correct. Rules is rules.
Reply ID 13617
quote:You do not need a copy of the rules. As soon as you call/write/EMail them the fine is held and will not come into force until they have made a decision. The quicker you lodge yor compalint the better.
Originally posted by spitfirequote:Does anyone know where I can get a copy of the rules?. The EHDC website has no mention of them.
Originally posted by JohnSmith
I'm pretty sure that a mate of mine successfully appealed when he was ticketed and they put the wrong colour car. The information on the ticket has to be 100% correct. Rules is rules.
Reply ID 14331
Got ticketed in Crib Street (Ware) at 8.47 - parking restrictions started at 8 - had been there all night as I was visiting a friend and was not causing an obstruction. But one of the jobsworth parking wardens obviously was trying for a new year bonus. Funny how they never ever visit Sele Farm (where I now live) [Deleted Unkind Comment due to my annoyance] Unfortunately it appears that this particular Gestapo officer was not colour blind and he correctly identified the colour of my car.
Reply ID 14379
quote:Just had a respnse by email from the parking manager
Originally posted by jez_p
Funny how they never ever visit Sele Farm (where I now live)
quote:So parking morons beware - do you really need to drive to the Sele Farm shops and park right outside?
thank you for your email and it will be my pleasure to ask the Parking Attendants to pay closer attention to the Sele Farm Estate.
Reply ID 14395
Well done jez. I wrote to them a while back and sent photographs. They told me it wasn't their problem as the photos I sent showed cars parked on the pavement (as well as those on the double yellows). I sent a reply with other photos showing just cars parked on the double yellows. I didn't get a reply to that one. Tell me if you see any of our green-coated friends.
Reply ID 14469
ooh.. anyone fancy letting them know about the coop on bengeo street?
Reply ID 14474
[quote]Originally posted by jez_p
Got ticketed in Crib Street (Ware) at 8.47 - parking restrictions started at 8 - had been there all night as I was visiting a friend and was not causing an obstruction. But one of the jobsworth parking wardens obviously was trying for a new year bonus.
What time zone is jez_p in where parking at 8.47 is not an offence when restrictions start at 8?
Reply ID 14476
Bengeobabe, the traffic wardens won't do anything about the Bengeo Co-op as there are no yellow lines. It is the police that are needed up there - parking on the pavements. Crazy that you need two different authorities to tackle illegal parking.
Reply ID 14479
quote:I appealed a ticket last month (my ticket had fallen off my windscrean). I wrote off on the friday, and received a reply the next tuesday.
Originally posted by Ray_by_the_Beane
I think an indication of the number of appeals is that they currently take two months to get around to processing your appeal.
Reply ID 14482
quote:I never said that it wasn't an offence - my gripe is the fact that parking wardens only patrol certain areas and seem intent on ticketing people for minor offences yet don't ticket people causing obstructions and impeding traffic flow. The only reason for parking restrictions in the place I parked (to my mind) is to force people to pay to park in the town centre. I also think that the only reason the traffic wardens bother to patrol there is because of the short stay parking bays there.
Originally posted by kakapo
[quote]Originally posted by jez_p
Got ticketed in Crib Street (Ware) at 8.47 - parking restrictions started at 8 - had been there all night as I was visiting a friend and was not causing an obstruction. But one of the jobsworth parking wardens obviously was trying for a new year bonus. What time zone is jez_p in where parking at 8.47 is not an offence when restrictions start at 8?
Reply ID 15864
Was just leaving Bircherley Green car park when I saw the resident Traffic Warden Arrive. He didn't seem particularly interested in checking times on the tickets, but he went straight up to a rather long car and immediately issued a ticket. The warden didn't appear to have checked if the car had a valid ticket and when he took the photo, he stood well back. So I can only assume that the car was penalised for being too long for the bay! Now I could make some comment about "serves him/her right for driving a big flashy car" but theat slightly misses the point that this car was well parked not causing an obstrution and appeared to have a valid ticket. The car was also almost touching the wall at the back of the bay and overhanging the front of the bay by about 2 inches. Surely there was no excuse to issue a ticket other than to make more profit for the cowboys that run the scheme. Again it comes down to policing to the letter of the law rather than the spirit of the law.[:(!]
Reply ID 15882
I saw them on Thursday night, about 6:45pm. Ticketing cars parked in the cobbled bay in front of the Electrical shop (East Herts. Electrical?) and opposite that Anne Summers type shop. Yes, I assume they must have been parking illegally to get a ticket. But its 6:45pm in the evening and they were not causing any obstruction. I personally just feel at that time in those locations its more about revenue generation than keeping the roadways clear.
Reply ID 15890
After reading most of the comments on this post its becoming clear that the Traffic Wardens are not really concerned with making sure the town is clear of vehicles obstructing highways etc, but of just touring the car parks to see how much money they can skim off the poor motorist! I am sorry if the TW's think this is not what they are doing, but I see it every day of the week.. Think on, the hope is they do pay on exit parking again, cos according to the Mercury on Friday the council are having to pay for the TWs and that is surely not what they want to do.. What they need is to break even or make a small profit.. But that's not happening. I am praying to the "God of Reason" that the Traffic Wardens are redeployed... as nightclub bouncers and the end of the cash cow stops and proper parking enforcement comes in without subjecting honest, carpark paying motorists to fines and tickets they do not deserve...
Reply ID 15914
quote:To become nightclub bouncers they would have to be licenced after passing an exam. How many do you think might make it?? Not many think I!!!!
Originally posted by Drama Queen
After reading most of the comments on this post its becoming clear that the Traffic Wardens are not really concerned with making sure the town is clear of vehicles obstructing highways etc, but of just touring the car parks to see how much money they can skim off the poor motorist! I am sorry if the TW's think this is not what they are doing, but I see it every day of the week.. Think on, the hope is they do pay on exit parking again, cos according to the Mercury on Friday the council are having to pay for the TWs and that is surely not what they want to do.. What they need is to break even or make a small profit.. But that's not happening. I am praying to the "God of Reason" that the Traffic Wardens are redeployed... as nightclub bouncers and the end of the cash cow stops and proper parking enforcement comes in without subjecting honest, carpark paying motorists to fines and tickets they do not deserve...
Reply ID 15920
I don't know, looking at the gorilla's on the door of some places, it can't be that hard