Dodgy parking enforcement
Discussion
I'll try to keep this brief but I park for work where circled in the pic and have done for almost a year. It is a side road on what is a large office estate and provides access to the car park at the top of the pic. There are no markings or signage. Yesterday evening there was a note on my car and all the others parked in a row here, stating that this 'car park' is for use by xxx staff only. My car details had been logged and if I continue parking there TPS will be informed.
I've ignored this and parked there again today as I don't see any indication that they own the road or have authority to restrict parking there. I feel they are trying to scare people off so they can extend their car park. Even if they do own the road then there are ways to control parking there, which I would happily comply with.
I guess I'm just checking in case anybody thinks I've missed something and could find myself with problems by ignoring them. I can't name and shame but the office is occupied by (large household name) Legal Services, so you would think they would know better.
I've ignored this and parked there again today as I don't see any indication that they own the road or have authority to restrict parking there. I feel they are trying to scare people off so they can extend their car park. Even if they do own the road then there are ways to control parking there, which I would happily comply with.
I guess I'm just checking in case anybody thinks I've missed something and could find myself with problems by ignoring them. I can't name and shame but the office is occupied by (large household name) Legal Services, so you would think they would know better.
HantsRat said:
Does your work not provide parking? Where do other employees that you work with park?
If it's anything like the commercial sites around me (Colchester), then they've only built about 50% of the parking spaces required. Apparently everyone is supposed to use non-existent public transport to get there...General Fluff said:
Aztec West, Bristol
Ha, I can probably chuck a rock at your car from my window 
Not familiar with that bit exactly but it does look like it may be their land. Maybe they have a window permit system for their car park and can ticket cars without it? Have you tried starting/finishing earlier to get a space in your car park?
HantsRat said:
Looks very much like private land owned by Co-Op to me. Although they cannot do anything at the moment (clamping etc), I would imagine you will force them to bring in a private parking enforcement company.
The private sign at the entrance indicates to me that the road is indeed private.
As I explained in the original post, there is no indication that this is anyone's property. It's a road and the sign at the junction has 2 company names on it and is there to guide visitors to them.
Now, it may be a private road and a simple sign would be enough to send me on my way. The note put on my car was rude, called the road a car park and mentioned a company that I have no reason to know of, or have any idea what they do (though it seems they are probably a parking enforcement firm, possibly the first one they found on google when writing their note).
Now, it may be a private road and a simple sign would be enough to send me on my way. The note put on my car was rude, called the road a car park and mentioned a company that I have no reason to know of, or have any idea what they do (though it seems they are probably a parking enforcement firm, possibly the first one they found on google when writing their note).
hornetrider said:
Ha, I can probably chuck a rock at your car from my window
Not familiar with that bit exactly but it does look like it may be their land. Maybe they have a window permit system for their car park and can ticket cars without it? Have you tried starting/finishing earlier to get a space in your car park?
Got any spare parking? ;-)Not familiar with that bit exactly but it does look like it may be their land. Maybe they have a window permit system for their car park and can ticket cars without it? Have you tried starting/finishing earlier to get a space in your car park?
I'm one of the first in but there is a permit system with priority to those in greatest need. I'm a contractor so haven't applied.
HantsRat said:
If you're a contractor, pay for parking nearby in a public car park. I'm sure there is one. Keep the receipts so you can pay less tax and maybe add the parking charges on to your bill for the company?
There isn't one. Anyway, I'm not stupid so thanks for all the helpful suggestions but you're not going to come up with anything I haven't thought of. I just wanted to check that I'm not in for a nasty surprise IF this does turn out to be a private road. If that is the case then all they have to do is make it clear. As I said, I and others have been parking here for a long time without issue so if they want to change the rules then it's not unreasonable to expect them to do it politely.General Fluff said:
As I explained in the original post, there is no indication that this is anyone's property. It's a road and the sign at the junction has 2 company names on it and is there to guide visitors to them.
Now, it may be a private road and a simple sign would be enough to send me on my way. The note put on my car was rude, called the road a car park and mentioned a company that I have no reason to know of, or have any idea what they do (though it seems they are probably a parking enforcement firm, possibly the first one they found on google when writing their note).
Your wishing it NOT be private land because that would be inconvenient to you - does not make it so.Now, it may be a private road and a simple sign would be enough to send me on my way. The note put on my car was rude, called the road a car park and mentioned a company that I have no reason to know of, or have any idea what they do (though it seems they are probably a parking enforcement firm, possibly the first one they found on google when writing their note).
To a lot of us, that DOES look to be private land and that is clearly asked for advice that you have deliberately chosen to ignore. Add to that the rude note from the (random) obvious land owner and you should really be seeing a pattern emerging.
But, you can just ignore everyone pointing out that its private lane, if you so wish and let us know how you get on trying to avoid the subsequent repercussions - whilst claiming that nobody told you/you assumed otherwise and hence nobody should fine you.
After all, you never know, one of the people working there might even be active on Pistonheads!
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff