A CAR park has been branded as “totally ridiculous” by disgruntled drivers who say unclear signage has led to them receiving “astronomical fines”
Visitors to Falmouth car park have blasted those issuing the fines and say that they are putting people in an “unfair position” with the £100 penalties.
Falmouth car park is owned by Falmouth Harbour and managed by Creative Parking Solutions.
Visitors have been parking in the Custom House Quay car park, which is owned by the Harbour but managed by London-based Creative Parking Solutions, overnight believing there is no charge after 6pm, only to then receive a £100 fine days later.
Izzy Pullen, a photographer based in Redruth told CornwallLive she was “beyond shocked” after receiving a fine when she visited Falmouth to celebrate her engagement earlier this month.
She said: “It is despicable that this charge is not stated more clearly at the location.
“After reading further online, this is a frustration that has been felt by many, not just myself, with complaints going back to 2019 regarding the clarity of the signage and the lack of lighting, illuminating the notices.”
On the day of her visit Ms Pullen arrived at the car park just before 8pm, parking rates displayed on the signage only went up to 6pm leaving her to believe it was free to park after this time.
Unfortunately, this was not the case and the £2 overnight rate was displayed on an alternative and poorly illuminated sign that she did not see.
Ms Pullen said: “In this economic climate, £100 is an exceptional amount of money to be charged, not to mention the confusion felt trying to establish why I’ve been charged after reading the parking terms noted at the location.
“If I am to appeal this ticket and lose, I will be charged the full £100 so I have no choice but to pay the discounted £56.
“I feel like this is putting vulnerable people in such an unfair position.”
Many reviewers on Parkopedia have shared the same frustrations as Ms Pullen, going back as far as 2017.
She said: “I would like to understand why this issue has still not been dealt with and why innocent people are getting stung with these astronomical fines when the parking terms are in no way clear, obvious, or fair.
“The parking rates are fair enough, but the signage and clarity of these terms are simply outrageous.
“It feels as though this is an attempt to catch people out intentionally and as a result, I’m sure people will only be dissuaded from visiting the Falmouth Quay.”
Ms Pullen said that the “financial consequence” of celebrating her engagement in Falmouth that evening, have put her off ever returning to the coastal town.
She added: “This is happening to honest citizens that would not ever want to risk getting a ticket but it’s not made clear enough so people can do the right thing.”
Custom House Quay car park has a one-star rating on Parkopedia, with a number of other visitors sharing their experiences
One user who posted in January this year said: “Just received a 100-pound bill for parking at 11 pm totally ridiculous.”
Another said: “Would never use this car park unless I absolutely had to, ridiculous parking fines for ridiculous reasons.”
Whilst another called it a “revenue generation exercise with no thought to reasonableness”.
A spokesperson for Falmouth Harbour said: “We are really committed to providing the best possible solution for our local community and indeed, direct customers of Falmouth Harbour’s services and have been working hard behind the scenes on how we develop the use of our quays.
“Contractually, we do remain committed to Creative Parking into the new year but look forward to making a few announcements in line with our commitment, in due course.”
The Sun has approached Creative Parking for comment.
It comes as a a mum was left disgusted after being slapped with a £160 parking fine for stopping her car to feed her crying baby.
And a savvy driver shares his trick on social media to avoid parking tickets, but not everyone is convinced.
