A motorist has been fined £100 for claiming they stopped due to illness after accidentally entering a private car park with inadequate signage. The incident highlights the need for clear and visible warning signs to prevent similar cases.
Accidental parking charges can be a stressful and costly experience for drivers. Recent cases have highlighted the importance of clear signage in private car parks, with some drivers being fined £100 or more for accidentally entering land that requires a valid permit.
Locals who have received parking charges claim that the signs warning of the charge were too small to read on approach. Dave Knight, one of those affected, stated, ‘That [the council signage] is green and yellow, and the board’s about 10ft by 5ft. And you’ve got this [the private car park signage] which is a little 1ft square sign and the print is so small.’ This discrepancy in size has led to concerns that drivers may not have had sufficient time to read the signs and make an informed decision.
The issue of inadequate signage has sparked debate over the implementation of the private parking sector’s Code of Practice. Introduced in October 2024, the code sets out rules concerning consideration time and signage for private parking companies. However, some argue that these rules are not being enforced retrospectively and may be unfairly applied to drivers who unintentionally enter privately-owned land.
Martin Leighton, another driver who received a charge, believes that a £100 fine is excessive for accidentally turning around on their land. ‘It’s just too much money to give away nowadays, it’s not fair,’ he said. Leighton has taken matters into his own hands, flagging down cars and posting videos on social media to warn others about the risks of entering the car park.
UKPS, the operator of the car park in question, has responded to concerns by stating that they have passed on feedback to their partners and are working on plans to convert the site into a Pay for Stay car park. This change is intended to offer a more flexible and accessible solution for drivers who need short-term parking in the area.
Drivers who believe they have wrongly received a PCN should appeal against it, either through POPLA or the Independent Appeals Service (IAS). Derek Millard-Smith, a specialist lawyer in the UK parking sector, urged anyone with concerns to take action. ‘Parking on private land was generally governed by contract law,’ he said. ‘PCNs are ‘a contractual debt’ that could ultimately be pursued through the civil courts and result in a County Court Judgement, which can affect your credit rating.’
