Poole Drivers Face £100 Parking Charges After Payment Problems

Drivers Warned After Payment Problems at Poole Private Car Park

Poole Drivers Face £100 Parking Charges After Payment Problems Drivers visiting a Poole car park say they were left facing £100 parking charges after experiencing problems trying to pay for short stays. The car park behind the former Poole Quay Hotel is privately operated by ParkingEye, with the Evology app listed as the primary payment method. Several motorists told the Bournemouth Echo that they were unable to complete payment using the app or the machines before leaving the site. One driver, Robert Martin, said he visited the car park in April with friends, including two passengers aged over 80. He said the two payment machines were out of use and another motorist was having difficulty paying through the app. Martin decided to leave and find another car park, but later received a parking charge. He ultimately paid it after missing the opportunity to appeal. Another motorist, Sally Lucas, said she spent six minutes at the car park in July while trying to find a way to pay. She told the Echo she could not download the Evology app and was unsuccessful in finding another payment method. Adam Parker, an IT manager and district councillor, also said he received a charge after spending 13 minutes trying to make payment. He raised concerns that drivers who are less comfortable with technology could find themselves in a similar position if they cannot use the available payment system. Clive Truscott and his wife, both in their 80s, said they received a £100 charge after an eight-minute stay. Truscott said he had previously used the app but encountered a different payment process during the visit. He said the machines were not working and the couple left the car park. He later appealed to ParkingEye and then to the independent POPLA appeals service. ParkingEye maintains that the charges are legitimate. The company said the car park has prominent signage explaining how it operates and that motorists are advised to pay using the Evology app. The company also said drivers who remain at the site beyond the consideration period without paying the required tariff will receive a parking charge, while motorists who believe a charge was issued incorrectly can appeal through its British Parking Association-audited appeals process. BCP Council said it was not responsible for the car park because it is privately owned and operated. The council pointed drivers towards nearby council-run car parks where card payments are accepted. The dispute highlights an important distinction for motorists: a charge issued on private land is different from a Penalty Charge Notice issued by a council. Drivers should check the paperwork carefully and understand who issued the charge before deciding what action to take. Anyone experiencing a payment problem should, where possible, keep evidence of what happened. Photographs of payment machines, error messages, signs and details of the payment attempt can potentially be useful if a charge is later disputed. For drivers visiting unfamiliar car parks, checking payment methods before leaving the vehicle can also prevent problems. Where possible, having an alternative payment method available can be useful if an app or machine is not working. EveryonesParking helps drivers plan parking before they travel, making it easier to find suitable parking options and understand where to park before arriving rather than making a last-minute decision.