Shopper fined £90 for ‘overstaying’ at carpark

Parking regulations have been introduced to the shopping area around the 24 hour garage at Queen Street, Enniskillen RMG15

LOCAL SHOPPERS have been urged to be wary of a possible parking fine of £90 for staying over half an hour at the 24 hour shop in Enniskillen. The parking area at Queen Street, that is used by motorists to visit a host of neighbouring businesses is now being marshalled by private company ‘Smart Parking’ through CCTV cameras and a number of parking notices have already been sent out. In the pay and display car parks around the county the minimum payment guarantees you one hour of parking while on street car parking also has a maximum time limit of an hour. The new parking restrictions at Queen Street limit a stay of 30 minutes and run 24 hours a day, Monday to Sunday The rules also apply to disabled badge holders.

The changes at this car park have left many frustrated and one local resident who received the £90 fine through the post has spoken out against the changes.

The woman who did not wish to be named was caught out within the last two weeks and warned local people to be wary of the new system in place.

“I stopped at the 24 hour filling station to have a look in the charity shop, picked up a few things and their paypoint wasn’t working inside so I had to go to the cash machine outside and then go back inside again. I then went into the 24 hour shop and bought an ice lolly for the little one I had with me and a scone for my morning coffee. I never would have even thought there was a camera on the area, I read the 30 minutes, but I was in the area shopping, I wasn’t abusing it.”

Just over a week later she received a letter with a photograph of her vehicle along with dates and times to the second of her entering and leaving the car park. In total she stayed 45 minutes, just 15 minutes over the specified time, but now faces the £90 fine.

“You could have been in the Fobel centre or dropping off dry cleaning, it could be a couple of things you have to do and 30 minutes just wouldn’t cover you. It’s tight, especially for a complex which now has another unit open (Barnardos). How on earth do they expect people to utilise their facilities in 30 minutes?”

With some confusion within law over the powers of prosecution the English based company has the Fermanagh woman does not intend to pay the fine, but has receipts which detail her actions at the time of the parking offence.

“I am ignoring it and if they want to take me to court then I’ll submit my proof and it will be thrown out of court anyway, that’s my intention.”

At the time of going to press Smart Parking had not responded to a request for comment from the Herald.

The Queen Street Car Park is just one of a number of privately marshalled car parks in Enniskillen, along with Asda, Dunnes Stores and Poundstretcher.

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