A mother-of-five has been hit with a £170 fine after spending just six minutes in a Birmingham car park – one minute longer than the permitted grace period.
Angela Jones, 60, from Alvechurch in Worcestershire, pulled into Kings Heath High Street car park in October last year while attempting to pay for parking.
The veterinary receptionist found herself unable to pay when confronted with a broken pay-and-display machine, and was wary of using a mobile phone app due to concerns about QR code scams.
After leaving the car park just 60 seconds over the five-minute grace period, she received a fine from Parking Charge Collections Ltd.
Kings Heath High Street car park
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Jones lodged an appeal against the fine, but it was rejected, causing the penalty to increase to £170.
“It brought me so much stress – I couldn’t afford it,” she told Birmingham Live.
“The parking company rejected my appeal because I was outside the five-minute period.
“There’s just not enough time. It’s not right that you only have that long to park up, download an app and get back in your car.”
She expressed particular concern for elderly visitors, adding: “What if you can’t get a signal or something? Some car parks are bigger than others too.
“I bet it’s elderly people, who probably aren’t as mobile, who will be affected by this the most.”
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A generic image of a parking fine
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Jones described receiving “threatening” letters from solicitors representing the parking firm.
“As a lone female, who has never been in trouble in my life, it was very intimidating. It affected my mental health greatly,” she said.
Fearing bailiffs would arrive at her door, Jones paid the £170 fine earlier this month.
Following payment of the fine, Bromsgrove MP Bradley Thomas stepped in and the penalty was dropped.
Jones was informed she would receive a full refund.
The International Parking Community, which represents parking firms, confirmed the refund had been issued.
Parking display sign
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A spokesman said: “We’re pleased this case has resolved itself with the cancellation of the parking charge and a full refund. This outcome underscores the importance of providing thorough information to the operator when lodging an appeal.”
The spokesman added that dissatisfied motorists should escalate their cases to the independent adjudicator.
Private parking companies have pledged this month to update their code of conduct following similar cases of strict time limits.
The move comes after legal action was launched against driver Rosey Hudson, 31, by Excel Parking, who faced a £1,906 claim for exceeding their five-minute payment rule.
Excel Parking dropped the claim after an MP described the penalties as a “five-minute rip-off charge”.
Two industry bodies have now established a panel to revise the code of conduct to ensure it “protects genuine motorists who have difficulty making prompt payment on entry”.
