Parking ticket in Torquay for son collecting dad's death certificate
A TORQUAY parking company has refused to back down after issuing a ticket to a motorist picking up a death certificate for his father.
Cheshire paediatrician Mark Deakin parked at the Bridge Retail Park in Torquay because he could find nowhere to park in the hospital grounds.
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ticket: Mark Deakin
He travelled down to be with his father, Terence, in his last moments but, sadly, was too late to see him.
He returned the next day to pick up the death certificate.
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But he says despite explaining the tragic circumstances in his appeal, the firm Premier Park has stood by its decision.
Mr Deakin's wife, Beth, said: "I do not dispute that the ticket was properly issued but all we are asking for is a little bit of understanding and compassion."
Staff at the Cheshire church where Mrs Deakin works wrote a letter of support but it, too, fell on deaf ears.
The firm re-iterated there are signs clearly displayed and that the car park is for customers only.
A spokesman said: "The retail park in question has had issues previously with people using it as parking for the hospital due to charges being in place there, and spaces at the hospital being limited at times.
"While we empathise with anyone needing to visit a hospital, the retail park parking areas are not for the use of hospital visitors.
"The scheme to publicise and prevent this has been in place for more than five years and there are also in excess of 10 signs advertising this fact."
He said if anyone is unhappy with an appeal decision they have received, they have the right to appeal to an independent body, implemented as part of the Protection of Freedoms Act (PoFA) 2012.
7 Comments
by Tony248
Tuesday, March 12 2013, 10:20AM
“Echo what Canningbeast says. This company (like any other private parking company) simply tries it on in the hope that its victims won't know the law.
Don't worry about people like ianwilliams or the aptly named MisterDonut, who don't have a clue what the legal situation is.
Only Courts, the Police, and Councils can fine you. Premier Park may demand money from you but they have no means of enforcement if you don't pay, so simply ignore them. You will get nasty letters from a couple of their cronies masquerading as debt collectors, after receiving five such letters, you will hear no more from them.
Do not waste any further time on their phoney "appeal" system. They never allow appeals because it would cost them money.
If you don't believe us, check it out by going to somewhere like moneysavingexpert.com where they have a whole forum dealing with these cowboys!
Just forget all about it, Mr. D!”
by Canningbeast
Monday, March 11 2013, 7:00PM
“Either way, advice here is don't pay. Premier parks have no legal right to give a ticket. They rely on people being scared. Ignore them like a bad smell and they will go away.”
by Crueys
Monday, March 11 2013, 1:58AM
“Mr Deakin is not from this area and with the sad passing of his Father doubt very much if he would think to look at any parking notices........ most places out of town, the Willows as an example offer free parking...... what I can't understand is who was watching Mr Deakin ...... very sad and I do feel a little compassion could have been shown...... so many people today seem to be very uncaring.....”
by Canningbeast
Saturday, March 09 2013, 11:50AM
“Do not pay. They will never accept your appeal and will send you some threatening letters about taking you to court. They won't follow through with the threats as it costs them more to recover the money with that method. They have no legal right as its private land. I can speak from experience as they have tried to do the same to me. They won't get a penny. Don't be scared with the wording and the number of letters they send. After around 4 months they will leave you alone. Sadly by appealing all you do is give them your address!!”
by iainwilliams
Saturday, March 09 2013, 11:27AM
“There are signs, you parked illegally, get over it. Why waste all this energy fighting when you have admitted you were in the wrong?”
by MisterDonut
Saturday, March 09 2013, 8:04AM
“He is an educated man who was picking up paperwork. When you need to rely on sentiment to fight an argument then you are clutching at straws. Pay the fine and stop moaning. The death of you father was a sad event and you have my sympathies, illegally parking to pick up paperwork you don't.”
by lhasa27
Saturday, March 09 2013, 7:23AM
“Please Mr Deakin do some research. Regarding Premier Parking it's a scam. Ignore them! Check it online!”