A broken ticket machine in Globe Place Car Park, St Ives, has caused a car parking charge "fiasco" after one driver was incorrectly issued a £60 fine despite paying.
Chatteris resident Ian Salter said that since September 2022, the pay and display machine would not print any tickets, frustrating several other drivers.
Ian said he would always pay anyway, but On December 12, he returned to his car to find a £60 parking fine on his windscreen.
Ian was initially unsuccessful in his appeal, but after persisting with phone calls and a further appeal, Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC), who owns the car park, said that their supplier had confirmed a technical error, and the fine was waived.
"The day I got a ticket, I didn't look around because I was so annoyed, but other people must've been fined as well; they wouldn't have picked on me," said Ian.
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"I believe it is highly probable that some, maybe many, customers will have paid the £60 fine rather than go to court."
Ian added that other "frustrated" drivers would put notices on the pay and display machine for the ticket officer because they were "fed up" with the faulty system.
The machine was still broken when Ian used the car park in January, meaning it had been at least three months without any repairs.
Ian added: "What are drivers expected to do in these circumstances?
"I have looked at the notices, and the possibility of no ticket being issued is not mentioned."
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Ian now no longer uses the car park, concerned that HDC didn't "appear to want to fix" the machine even after all notices left or Ian's request in his appeal.
HDC's response
A spokesperson for HDC acknowledged the faulty machine and said: "The District Council is aware of users encountering issues with parking machines in the Globe Place car park.
"Unfortunately, due to issues in the supply chain from the parts manufacturer, repairs to faulty pay & display equipment were delayed.
"During this delayed period, enforcement for failing to make payment for parking was carried out sensitively, taking into consideration the function of the machines and the ability they provide in enabling persons to pay to park."
The spokesperson added that alternative methods of payment, such as a phone call or SMS, are available in their car parks and if any users encounter issues in the future, they should notify the council via ParkingService@huntingdonshire.gov.uk.
WHAT DO YOU THINK: Have you encountered the same issue at Globe Place Car Park, or have you been issued a parking fine from other car parks that you believe was incorrect? Please let us know and email your experience to Alexander.Gilham@newsquest.co.uk.
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Let us know where you have been given a parking ticket and why it was incorrectly issued.
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