4:20pm Monday 21st April 2008
By Reader letter
I RECENTLY parked at Tesco Extra, Altrincham. On returning to my car my daughter noticed I had got a parking ticket which surprised me, as I had only been there for just over an hour. I spoke to the parking attendant who informed me that the sensor that had registered my vehicle had exceeded the maximum time allowed and that I would have to appeal.
Fortunately I had filled up with petrol at a local petrol station before going to Tesco, and had a customer copy receipt showing I had paid for petrol at 10.52 a.m. The parking ticket was issued at 12.07 p.m. which proved I had not exceeded the 3 hours allowed in Tesco. I accordingly wrote to Central Ticketing. The letter I received from them informed me that my appeal had been unsuccessful on this occasion! This car park operates a sensor-controlled system and sends a message to their computer system when a vehicle has overstayed the maximum time allowed. I had to forward payment within 10 days of £40 and if this was not received my case would be passed to debt recovery agents and would result in an increase to £135 plus further administration cost and in addition court action may be taken against me.
The whole incident has been most upsetting, I have been driving for over 30 years and this is the first time I have received a parking ticket. I have paid the fine as I don't want legal action taken against me.
I would be interested to know if anyone else has had this happen to them whilst parking at Tesco Extra, Altrincham.
P. Egerton, Altrincham.
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