A driver has been left fuming after being slapped with a £100 fine for breaking a ‘two minute’ rule – and has now warned others to be careful when parking their vehicles
UK drivers who flout a “two minute” parking rule could be slapped with fines, even for the briefest of stops. A driver in Birmingham learned this the hard way after stopping outside a clothing store for a swift errand, only to discover parking was prohibited.
The disgruntled motorist aired their grievances in an open letter to the Guardian newspaper. They recounted: “In February, I parked briefly outside a clothing store to visit a nearby shop. As soon as I entered, the shopkeeper informed me that parking was not allowed in that area. I immediately returned to my vehicle and left.
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“The total duration of my stop, according to the parking charge notices (PCNs) I received the following week from Euro Parking Services (EPS), was just two minutes and 24 seconds.”
After challenging the penalty via email and receiving a generic response, they were met with silence until a reminder arrived in April, demanding £100 and stating their appeal had been dismissed without prior notification.
Outraged, they said: “I believe no one should be fined for stopping for just over two minutes. It feels deeply unjust and contrary to common sense.”
However, following the Guardian’s involvement, EPS extended a grace period, allowing the driver to settle the fine at a reduced rate of £60.
The publication also reminded motorists of their right to contest such fines further if they wish to challenge the decision, reports Birmingham Live.
“Some parking companies are wrongly demanding ‘fines’ from drivers who have legitimately paid to park,” Simon Williams, the RAC’s head of policy, has said.
“Whether it’s a faulty payment machine that records the wrong vehicle registration or an innocent mistake keying in their numberplate, these people shouldn’t have to pay the £100 parking charge notices they are sent.
“Many cases seem completely unjustified and should be thrown out at appeal. But sadly they so often aren’t.”
