Aylesford Retail Park Parking Firm Cancels £100 Fines After Camera Issue

£100 Parking Charges Cancelled After Aylesford ANPR Camera Problem

Aylesford Retail Park Parking Firm Cancels £100 Fines After Camera Issue Drivers who received £100 parking charges after visiting Aylesford Retail Park near Maidstone have had their notices cancelled after the parking operator admitted a camera problem. Civil Enforcement Ltd, which manages parking at the retail park off Hermitage Lane, confirmed that some vehicles were incorrectly issued parking charges because of an issue with one of its cameras. Drivers caught by parking camera problem The problem came to light after motorists complained about being treated as though separate visits to the retail park were one continuous stay. Charlotte Watson, 35, was one of the drivers affected after visiting the McDonald’s drive-through at around 1.30am before returning to the site around 24 hours later to shop at Aldi. She subsequently received a £100 parking charge from Civil Enforcement Ltd, which claimed she had exceeded the site's 90-minute maximum free parking period. Watson disputed the charge and provided Ring doorbell footage showing that she had left the retail park and spent the intervening period elsewhere before returning. Her parking charge was eventually cancelled, but she said the experience had caused frustration and anxiety. Civil Enforcement Ltd confirmed to KentOnline that a camera issue had resulted in some vehicles receiving parking charges incorrectly. The company said the issue was identified quickly and that all affected parking charge notices were cancelled proactively, with letters sent to the motorists concerned. Confusion over two neighbouring car parks There was also confusion over the location named on Watson's parking charge, which stated that the alleged parking offence took place at South Aylesford Retail Park. South Aylesford Retail Park is a separate site next to Aylesford Retail Park and is home to businesses including Nando's, Halfords and Pets At Home. Civil Enforcement Ltd said its site had previously been known as South Aylesford Retail Park, while the neighbouring car park is managed by a different operator. The company said the site name has now been updated to Aylesford Retail Park to make the two adjacent parking areas easier to distinguish. Drivers visiting the Aylesford Retail Park containing Aldi, McDonald's and Poundstretcher can currently park free for up to 90 minutes, according to the site's signage. The signs state that ANPR cameras and manual patrols are used to monitor vehicles, while a £100 charge can apply when the parking terms are breached. The neighbouring South Aylesford Retail Park allows free parking for up to three hours, with different parking management arrangements and a separate operator. What should drivers do? The case highlights why drivers receiving a private parking charge should check the details carefully, particularly when ANPR cameras are used and when a car park has a maximum stay. Evidence showing when a vehicle entered and left, such as doorbell footage, receipts or other records, may be useful when challenging a charge where the circumstances are disputed. Hartnell Taylor Cook, which manages the Aylesford site for the landowner, said it had met Civil Enforcement Ltd after being made aware of the issue. It has also asked the parking operator to review its practices and equipment as part of a wider evaluation of the parking contract. For drivers visiting busy retail parks, checking the correct car park, parking terms and maximum stay before leaving the vehicle can help avoid confusion. And when parking involves several visits to the same retail park, drivers should pay particular attention to any restrictions concerning re-entry, as these can vary between private car parks. EveryonesParking can help drivers plan where to park before visiting busy destinations, reducing the need to search for a space or navigate unfamiliar parking arrangements after arriving.