Anglesey pensioner’s ‘dismay’ at fine after using Caernarfon car park

The woman, who asked not to be named, parked in the Slate Quay car park, operated by Initial Parking, on August 10.

She said she paid £4 for two hours’ parking, left within the first hour, and had her “pay and display” ticket on her car throughout that time.

But, she said, she subsequently received a PCN from Initial Parking, who she then unsuccessfully tried to contact to discuss the matter further.

The woman said: “To my great dismay, I have received notice of a parking fine for £100, or £60 if paid within two weeks.

“As I am going on holiday for a month, I cannot risk appealing in case it is rejected, and I am not back in time to pay the reduced charge.

“I have tried to contact Initial Parking, by phone but there is no number available.

“I also went back to the car park (without entering) to photograph the pay and display machine I used on the day, and the area I parked in.

“Having looked at the reviews online, I am one of many caught out in this way. Is it just an easy way to gain cash from honest people like myself?”

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Man’s visit to Caernarfon ‘soured’ after his ‘absurd’ parking fine

Last week, the Chronicle reported that a man on holiday in North Wales, Richard Adams, also received a PCN from Initial Parking after using the Slate Quay car park.

Mr Adams labelled this fine “absurd”, with it having been issued to him for apparently failing to enter his full vehicle registration.

Richard Adams (Image: Richard Adams)

In response to the woman’s comments, Initial Parking said: “The car park in question is an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system-monitored car park.

“Every accessible entry and exit point to this car park is managed by either an entry or exit camera, which takes an infra-red image of the vehicle registration as it passes by.

“When the vehicle enters, it creates one image, which will then be paired with the subsequent exit image.

“If the time between the two captures is not covered by time purchased via the payment machines or the pay by phone/app option, a PCN will be issued.

“As stated on our very large British Parking Association-approved signs, you can pay for parking time via the pay and display machines, via phone or via app.

“We have interrogated our systems but even when moving/omitting digits from the registration, we cannot trace any payments on the date of contravention against this vehicle.

“We would always encourage motorists to utilise our fully audited appeals process in the first instance, information on how to appeal can be found on the reverse of the PCN.

“Once an appeal is received, the PCN is placed on hold, allowing the matter to be thoroughly investigated by a member of the appeals team.

“On this occasion, we have received no correspondence from the motorist in respect of this PCN and as full payment has been received, liability has been accepted and the matter is now closed on the system.”