Parking firm says it waived fines, to begin with, not 'threatened people'
The firm sent letters, rather than fines, to offenders in the first few weeks after a change
Last updated 25th Aug 2023
Parking bosses in Newton Abbot have hit back at claims they've been sending repeated threatening letters to a 94 year old.
It's after changes at the ASDA car park at the end of June - which saw the traffic warden replaced by a new automatic number plate recognition system.
Some people have taken to social media to suggest the system is 'broken' and people, some elderly, have been sent repeated letters from the firm.
But Parkingeye say rather than fining offenders, in the first month after the change, they sent them letters highlighting the new system - and waived the fine as a gesture of goodwill.
A Parkingeye spokesperson said: “The car park at Asda Newton Abbot features 25 prominent and highly-visible signs throughout providing information on how to use the car park responsibly.
"The car park was previously monitored by a parking attendant however, a new modern automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system was introduced on June 30th 2023.
“Upon the installation of the ANPR system, we issued warning letters for four weeks to any motorist who had broken the rules of the car park to provide a window for Asda shoppers to familiarise themselves with the new management system.
"We can confirm the rules of the car park have remained the same during this transition - tariffs apply Monday to Saturday between 9am and 6pm, and there is a three-hour maximum stay period.
"To qualify for free parking, Blue Badge holders are advised to visit the customer services desk to register their vehicle and permit details, free parking will be valid until the holder's permit expires.
“Parkingeye operates a BPA (British Parking Association) audited appeals process, which motorists can use to appeal their Parking Charge. If anyone has mitigating circumstances, we would encourage them to highlight this by appealing.”