August 15, 2018 11.22 am This story is over 67 months old

Parking firm investigated over ‘inaccurate fines’

Several customers have been affected
Fantasy Island main car park. Photo: Google Street View

The British Parking Association is investigating a parking firm which has received mounting complaints from customers over ‘inaccurate fines’.

As previously reported, several drivers claimed to have been issued inaccurate fines by Smart Parking at a Skegness car park in recent months.

The main car park at Fantasy Island in Skegness on Sea Lane has caused a lot of frustration, with some alleging they received fines despite having valid tickets.

People are unhappy at what they believed to be a ‘faulty’ ticket machine and are struggling to get through to Smart Parking, which issues the fines.

Lincolnshire Reporter has also made numerous attempts to contact Smart Parking via email and phone without reply.

A reviewer said they had reported the parking firm. Photo: Google review of Smart Parking

One reviewer said they had reported the firm to the British Parking Association (BPA).

A BPA spokesperson told Lincolnshire Reporter: “Smart Parking are a Corporate Member of the British Parking Association and also belong to our Approved Operator Scheme for the purposes of managing parking on private land.

“We manage a Compliance Monitoring programme and a full scheme of sanctions and always investigate any potential breaches of our Code of Practice.

“We can confirm that an investigation is ongoing with regards to Smart Parking and their management of the Fantasy Island car park in Skegness on Sea Lane.”

Concerned customers

Amanda Williams previously posted in the Facebook group ‘Skegness, Skegness, Skegness!’ back in June about the issue she encountered with a fine despite having a ticket.

Fortunately, she has since had the fine cancelled after going online to appeal the charge.

However, others are still waiting. Sandra Thackery contacted the company and was told to put her concern in writing, which she did.

She has since told Lincolnshire Reporter she contacted independent appeals company Popla and Smart Parking replied, so Poplia will continue to review the situation before making a decision.

A number of other frustrated customers contacted Lincolnshire Reporter, including Sam Buckenham, who emailed Smart Parking to dispute his fine and has yet to hear anything back.

He said: “We got a parking fine though the post despite putting the correct money into machine as stated on the board £2 – two hours.

Sam Buckenham received a letter from Smart Parking about the fine. Photo: Sam Buckenham

Sam Buckenham’s ticket, which he later received a fine about. Photo: Sam Buckenham

“But on this parking fine it’s saying they we payed for one hour, we didn’t think of looking at the ticket as we went by the board at the ticket machine.

“The machine is obviously charging at different rates to what the board is stating, which is stinging people with fines. I’ve been onto the smart parking charges and it states online there prices too.”

Have you experienced problems at this car park? Email us at [email protected]?