Topic ID 7326
Does anyone here live at balls park and is upset with the introduction of flash paRking scheme .
Reply ID 95154
Can you explain a bit more what this is ?
Reply ID 95161
At present we all have an allocated parking space and additional parking spaces can be bought . There are approx 100 flats and 5 visitor parking spaces . To stop the visitors parking on the main access road there are now signs making you aware that you will receive a £85.00 fine . For the resident this means that we can now take pictures of the offending cars and email them to the management company for a fine to be sent . This sounds very good but we never really had a major problem and now no one can risk visiting you for an hour etc . The problem was always with a few residents parking in the wrong bay never with visitors . But now no one can visit .
Reply ID 95162
This is an issue you should discuss with your management company.
Reply ID 95164
I received one of these private parking tickets quite unfairly IMO in waitrose in bishops stortford a few years back and I simply binned it ( and told the guy issuing it at the time this was my intention) and didn't hear a dicky bird back. That disappointed me to be honest as I was more than prepared for a scrap over it if they did take it further.
Reply ID 95165
Having lived there, I dispute that the problem was people parking in the wrong space. It's so under-occupied that there are more than enough spaces to go round at present. Even in the snow, when I had no option but to use another person's space (as I could only reverse due to lack of traction) I was in receipt of a passive-aggressive note. The fact that you could see by my tracks exactly what had happened went un-noticed, as did the fact that there was an unused space on either side of where I had parked. It was the sheer lack of community spirit that lead me to leave. Having said that, I agree with you that the introduction of a fine is ridiculous. There are only six or so visitor spaces.
Reply ID 95171
Chancers [img]../images/forum/balls_park_flashpark_sign.jpg[/img] IANAL but this sign is meaningless. For starters, what is an unauthorised vehicle? Secondly, who decides what is correct what is incorrect parking? There are no signs anywhere detailing what the actual parking regulations are. Interestingly, these signs are not the ones provided by Flashpark on their website (which does give this information) Generally, parking "fines" related to private land are no more than speculative invoices. They have no basis and are unworkable when combined with inadequate signage such as this.
Reply ID 95175
quote:Priceless - "Thank you for visiting" sign partially obscured by petty unenforcable threatening notice. Nice one residents of Balls Park you don't deserve visitors!
Originally posted by Steve
Chancers [img]../images/forum/balls_park_flashpark_sign.jpg[/img] IANAL but this sign is meaningless. For starters, what is an unauthorised vehicle? Secondly, who decides what is correct what is incorrect parking? There are no signs anywhere detailing what the actual parking regulations are. Interestingly, these signs are not the ones provided by Flashpark on their website (which does give this information) Generally, parking "fines" related to private land are no more than speculative invoices. They have no basis and are unworkable when combined with inadequate signage such as this.
Reply ID 95178
Hi Darby please don't take this out on the residents . We were just told it was happening and had no choice . Now I am in a position that no one can visit , they will have to park in hertford and walk up . This is being policed by the residents . Nw I am sure most people won't take pictures and send them off but as we all know there are always people who will police the rules
Reply ID 95179
Apologies Darcy nor darby
Reply ID 95180
So far two residents have described their dislike of this scheme and none have supported it on this forum. If the majority of residents don't want it then surely it should go?
Reply ID 95181
Having had a look at Flashpark's website they boast that none of the signage or paperwork states who they're acting on behalf of. I'm wondering who signed up with them and under what authority they imposed the [unadvertised] parking restrictions. Having read a handful of articles about Flashpark it appears that the only body who has such authority is the landowner, who in this case I'm guessing would be the developer. I wonder if it might be an idea to visit the showhome or sales office to ask a few questions.
Reply ID 95187
quote:I would, but there's nowhere to park... [:D]
Originally posted by Steve
I wonder if it might be an idea to visit the showhome or sales office to ask a few questions.
Reply ID 95189
Again IANAL but agree with Steve - unenforceable. If you park there in an "unauthorised" or "incorrect" manner you may get some nasty letters and threatening phone calls but the chance of a succesful private prosecution to recoup the "parking charge" is virtually non-existent or at best, not cost-effective I would wager.
Reply ID 95227
Very similar to the theoretical "non-transferability" of pay and display tickets. Once you have sub-let your space who do the parking "authority" sue for their loss (especially as there isn't one).
Reply ID 95228
...a loss that is.
Reply ID 95256
Do the 'management company' park there? Suppose a few photos sent in of their own vehicles would cost them some time and money to check out and process. Of course, if the prohibited signs should 'happen' to disappear as well..
Reply ID 95560
I appreciate that no one may live in balls pak that reads this forum but just an update for you . My friend visited last Sunday and parked in the residents car park . As there are no signs in this area the flash parking is not operational it is only on the outside . Some wonderful neighbour took a picture and she now has a £85 fine . Don't think she will visit again . I will of course be arguing the point . The poor girl had had a baby four days before and was her first outing. If anyone is reading this from balls back please contact me
Reply ID 95561
Gated communities - you've gotta love them... They really don't want anyone from the outside world getting in. [:(]
Reply ID 95562
Being a single person I went for safety . Maybe I would be better in the real world
Reply ID 95564
Is it time to break out the pitchforks and flaming torches again?
Reply ID 95566
quote:Sorry Eletrode, I didn't mean to sound quite so caustic. I just find it sad that within a society people feel the need to create 'gated communities' - whether for security or exclusivity.
Originally posted by Eletrode
Being a single person I went for safety . Maybe I would be better in the real world
Reply ID 95567
quote:Gated - yes. A community - clearly not. And it's not a fine, it's an unenforceable "penalty" for alleged breach of contract, the contract being the conditions displayed on any signage. Therefore, no signage - no contract. I suggest you get to know your neighbours. [:)]
Originally posted by Eletrode
Some wonderful neighbour took a picture and she now has a £85 fine .
Reply ID 95580
Steve is right. the parking 'fine' is not valid. I bet it looks like a proper parking fine with some key 'action' words and threats but unless it comes from a local authority or the police, it's just a piece of paper. can one of our legal Hertfordians concur?
Reply ID 95581
Steve is right. the parking 'fine' is not valid. I bet it looks like a proper parking fine with some key 'action' words and threats but unless it comes from a local authority or the police, it's just a piece of paper. can one of our legal Hertfordians concur?
Reply ID 95597
yes - bin the fine.
Reply ID 95603
...and start the blockade [:D][}:)][:)] World Turned Upside Down - Leon Rosselson "In 1649 To St George's Hill A ragged band they called the Diggers Came to show the people' s will They defied the landlords They defied the laws They were the dispossessed Reclaiming what was theirs We come in peace, they said To dig and sow We come to work the land in common And to make the waste land grow This earth divided We will make whole So it can be A common treasury for all. The sin of property We do disdain No one has any right to buy and sell The earth for private gain By theft and murder They took the land Now everywhere the walls Rise up at their command. They make the laws To chain us well The clergy dazzle us with heaven Or they damn us into hell We will not worship The God they serve The God of greed who feeds the rich While poor men starve We work, we eat together We need no swords We will not bow to masters Or pay rent to the lords We are free men Though we are poor You Diggers all stand up for glory Stand up now From the men of property The orders came They sent the hired men and troopers To wipe out the Diggers' claim Tear down their cottages Destroy their corn They were dispersed - Only the vision lingers on You poor take courage You rich take care The earth was made a common treasury For everyone to share All things in common All people one We come in peace The order came to cut them down"
Reply ID 95615
I will receive my friends official letter from the flash parking company Tuesday so will update you . After three emails of compLaint rattled off due to my rage I have investigated parking at HMP Chelmsford who apparently offer free parking to visitors
Reply ID 95673
I'm a friend of a resident at Balls park, and must admit it makes us think twice about visiting. If you can't park in the one of the 5 vistor spaces, then you basically have to park in Hertford and walk up. At this time of year thats dangerous for a woman on her own in the dark. My view is this is just a money making scheme by the management company. Why can't they just be sensible and allocate parking permits or more spaces for visitors.
Reply ID 95884
When we lived there, the lights in the lamps from Simon Balle to Balls Park never worked. It was a huge concern to me when my fiancee got home from work in London. There is no community and the parking was always a ridiculous issue form somewhere at - at best - 50% residency. When people mention Balls Park, I warn them off. Unless they're arrogant, new-monied Essex chavs, in which case they'd fit right in. Only my opinion, based on the less-than-pleasant experience of having lived there.
Reply ID 95889
Hi zero as you say it's only your opinion but I am not a new rich Essex chav but a hertford girl for 51 years who is no means wealthy just wanted somewhere nice to live as I am sure you did . I am trying very hard to build a community spirit and have a care for my neighbours . This is always hard in any apartment development where people have no garden fence to chat over . The parking as I have stated is an issue caused not by the residents but by the rules enforced by the managing company .
Reply ID 95890
quote:All of you that live there pay the management company to do your bidding, start standing up for your selves for goodness sake!
Originally posted by Eletrode
Hi zero as you say it's only your opinion but I am not a new rich Essex chav but a hertford girl for 51 years who is no means wealthy just wanted somewhere nice to live as I am sure you did . I am trying very hard to build a community spirit and have a care for my neighbours . This is always hard in any apartment development where people have no garden fence to chat over . The parking as I have stated is an issue caused not by the residents but by the rules enforced by the managing company .
Reply ID 95891
Which is exactly what I am doing fighting them every inch of the way . I will stop with my moaning to you all
Reply ID 95893
If a majority of you agree, you can get rid of the current management company and set up your own. https://www.gov.uk/leasehold-property/right-to-manage-and-management-disputes
Reply ID 95896
Bring on the Hertford Balls Anarcho Syndicalist Commune!