Motorists are calling for a change after parking cameras in a Leicestershire city falsely fined motorists who did not even park in the area.
The cameras located along the route of the Belvoir Retail and Leisure Quarter in Coalville have come under fire from motorists after they fined drivers who used the route through the neighborhood to get to other parts of the city .
The cameras operated by Parkingeye have even claimed that some drivers parked on site for almost a day – even though they never parked in the parking lot.
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Sammy Aglago is one of those who was fined £ 100 by the park company for using the driveway – a road he has been using since 2009 with no problems.
Although Parkingeye passed the camera for only seconds on the way to and from his home on neighboring Lillehammer Drive, Parkingeye claimed that Sammy had been parked in the business district parking lot for more than 21 hours – a claim he describes as “ridiculous”.
“The street is not private, there is nothing to be said that I cannot use it to get to my house. So why a fine for me? Never have I ever parked in the parking lot. It’s ridiculous to even think so, “he told LeicestershireLive.
“Why should someone park in this parking lot for 21 hours? It makes no sense.”
Given the fine, Sammy admitted feeling pressured to pay quickly, fearing the worst.
“I was scared because the letter insisted that I pay immediately. If not, I don’t see what would happen. I was stressed and was afraid that debt collectors would come and ask for money. “
“I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong, but fear sets in.”
Previously owned by North West Leicestershire District Council, the retail district’s lower parking lots were sold last year to Gylo, the new owner of Belvoir Shopping Center, with both parking lots now being monitored by Parkingeye.
However, there are no signs in the area declaring the severance a private road, resulting in a fine for motorists like Mr Aglago.
He believes that if no change is made, other people will be wrongly punished for using the route.
“Parkingeye doesn’t seem to understand that people use this street all the time. It is a passageway to avoid the main roads. Mothers use it for school runs, people use it to go to Iceland. It is used so often. “
“It’s a street. If it’s private, they should say that. “
Sammy Aglago warns other drivers of the potential risk of fines
After going through the appeal process, Sammy’s fine was finally overturned earlier this month, but he’s now stopped using the cut-through fearing he will be punished again.
“I now have to cover extra miles on every trip I make because I don’t want to be fined again. It’s sad that I had to do this, but I’m not going to risk it, ”he said.
“I’m sure others did that too.”
Mr Aglago is now asking Parkingeye to clarify the use of the street or to install cameras in the parking bays to ensure that only those who have parked are fined if they have exceeded their reception.
“You can’t punish people if they don’t even park in a parking lot. It doesn’t make sense. “He added.
“If they change it, fine, but do I see it happen? I do not know. I just know that people need to know that these cameras are not right. “
A Parkingeye spokesman declined to comment on the specific concerns, but said a full appeal process was in place for all motorists fined.
“Parkingeye operates a BPA (British Parking Association) -reviewed complaint process that allows motorists to appeal their parking fee notices.” You said.
“If someone is in extenuating circumstances, we would encourage them to call them up. All drivers are also entitled to a further complaint via POPLA, the independent body that checks all cases. “
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