Stunned drivers issue parking warning
Reporter: HELEN KORN
Date published: 09 January 2013

EYE don’t believe it . . . Mark Harrington is not impressed
FUMING motorists are warning fellow drivers to be on their guard after being stung by parking fines.
Many have been hit with penalty letters delivered to their homes from a firm called ParkingEye.
Mark Harrington, who uses the DW gym on the Elk Mill Retail Park five times a week, has had two so far.
Tickets at the Royton site have been issued after drivers have parked for more than three hours.
Several £85 tickets have been handed to gym members — who complain they often need more than three hours to train, swim and shower.
Mr Harrington said: “I’ve got two of these tickets; my friend has got three. This is retail suicide. Something needs to be done about it. I didn’t even get a letter on my windscreen.”
Pamela Rogers of Royton,was also stung by the firm. She paid a £40 fine after parking for 90 minutes on Aldi car park in Refuge Street, Shaw.
She said: “I don’t normally go there on a Friday but I did and it was very busy. I’ve parked there loads of times before and never had a problem. I don’t know if the letters are legally binding but I paid it because I panicked. I just want to warn other people.”
A spokeswoman said ParkingEye had been engaged by the landlords of Aldi Shaw and Elk Mill Retail Park to manage parking restrictions.
She added: “There is a one-hour maximum at Aldi Shaw and a three-hour maximum at Elk Mill, to create a regular turnover of available spaces. The car parks were suffering from motorists parking but not shopping at these sites.
“The restrictions are clearly detailed on the many signs throughout the car parks. We encourage any motorist to appeal if they feel there are mitigating circumstances. Discretion will be used in the case of genuine customers.”