Push to drive up support to axe unfair charges at Inverness car park
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HUNDREDS of people have already added their names to an online petition calling for action at Inverness’s most controversial car park.
We launched the petition last week to mark six months since we began highlighting problems drivers were having at the Strothers Lane car park next to TK Maxx in Inverness city centre.
In it we call for Smart Parking, the firm responsible for the site, to cancel all disputed charges levied against drivers for alleged breaches of their strict parking rules since the campaign began last December.
Many have leapt at the chance, with more than 200 signing so far.
Dozens of those who have added their names to the petition have also left comments blasting Smart Parking for its attitude to rule enforcement which, as our newspapers have been regularly reporting, can see drivers being pursued for up to £160 for single digit errors when entering their registration number at ticket machines, or even in cases where they have driven into the car park and exited shortly afterwards, having been unable to find a space.
Ann Johnson, from Inverness, said: “I am signing because I got fined for two minutes when waiting for a space as the car park was full.”
Jim Brown, from the Leachkin area of the city, commented: “I went into this site last December to try to park, but there were no spaces (it was the last Saturday before Christmas) so after circling around for a while I left, only to get a notice to pay £60, which I refused to pay.
“I am now being pursued by a debt collection agency for £160.”
Worryingly for the good of Inverness city centre a number of those who have signed say their experience with the car park has put them off visiting the Highland Capital.
Alison Stewart, from Stromness on Orkney, said: “My partner and I entered the car park and got caught in a chaotic traffic jam that lasted nearly one hour, with our 18-month-old son in the back seat.
“We have since received countless letters and court threats.
“We bypass Inverness as it’s not worth the possibility of this happening again.”
Rachel Jackson, from Cambridge, said: “I recently got fined for £160 and put on to debt collectors immediately when both ticket machines were not working, and there was no means to pay.
“I have always paid for tickets without fail, but on this occasion there was no means to pay.
“It is damaging to Inverness city centre’s reputation.”
And Australian Frank MacDonald simply stated: “Parking in this car park has turned me off visiting the Highland capital again.”
As the HN reported last week, trading standards is in discussion with Smart Parking about arrangements at the car park, with officers saying they are “optimistic” about the direction talks are moving.
- To keep the pressure on the company you can add your name to the petition now, which can be found online at http://bit.ly/2tgIEBR
- We are still receiving accounts of reader’s bad experiences in the car park and passing them on to trading standards and you can share your stories by emailing newsdesk@spp-group.com
