West Derby Dad Faces Court Over £100 Private Parking Charge

School-Run Parking Row Highlights Rules on Private Roads

West Derby Dad Faces Court After Private Road Parking Charge During School Run A Liverpool father is facing a possible court hearing after receiving a £100 private parking charge for leaving his car on a private road while taking his children to school. Steven Thompson drives his two children from their home in West Derby to Runnymede St Edward Catholic Primary School each morning. He told the Liverpool Echo that he parked on Hawthorns Grove, a private close near the school, before taking his children across the road. The road is unadopted by Liverpool Council and has ANPR cameras operated by a private parking control company. Thompson received a parking charge notice from UKCPS in April after his vehicle was captured by the system. The dispute has now developed into a wider question about who is responsible for parking on private and unadopted roads and what rules drivers need to follow. A private or unadopted road is not maintained at public expense. According to the House of Commons Library information cited by the Echo, responsibility for maintaining such roads rests with property owners rather than the local highways authority. Signs on Hawthorns Grove indicate that virtual permits are required for parking on the road. The road is covered by ANPR cameras and private parking management rules. Private parking rules can be different from council parking restrictions. Where parking terms are clearly displayed on private land, drivers may be agreeing to those terms when they park. The issue has particular relevance around the school because parking has previously caused problems at pick-up and drop-off times. In 2024, parents were sent a letter asking them to be considerate and not use Hawthorns Grove. The school also has a car park opposite Runnymede St Edward, but the facility is closed off by 9.15am, according to the report. Thompson told the Echo that parents were being charged because the available car park was too small. He said he considered it unacceptable to fine working parents who were trying to get their children to school before going to work. Thompson has refused to pay the £100 charge and now faces a mediation session and potentially a court hearing. The Liverpool Echo said it attempted to contact UKCPS for comment. The case is a reminder that drivers should not assume a road is available for unrestricted parking simply because it looks like an ordinary residential street. Private roads can have separate parking conditions, permits and enforcement arrangements. For drivers using unfamiliar areas, checking signs and parking terms before leaving the vehicle is particularly important. This is especially relevant around schools, where parking demand can increase sharply during the morning and afternoon school runs. Finding an appropriate parking space before travelling can also help drivers avoid last-minute decisions on private roads. EveryonesParking can help motorists plan where to park before they arrive, particularly when visiting busy destinations or unfamiliar areas.