Parking regulations vary by country, but poorly designed rules can lead to significant costs for individuals. A notable example involves Hannah Robinson, who has reportedly received fines totaling nearly £11,000 (approximately Rs 11 lakh) due to a stringent five-minute parking rule.
Hannah Robinson, from Darlington, County Durham, frequently used the Feethams Leisure Centre parking lot while working nearby. According to her conversation with the BBC, she always paid for parking. However, due to a weak internet connection, the payment process often took over five minutes to complete.
She expressed frustration, saying, “It’s ridiculous. I paid for it. I’ve been trying for the full five minutes. They just don’t care.” Hannah described the situation as “upsetting” and noted that the “operators did not want to talk” to her about the problem. “I’ve done absolutely everything I can to get in touch with them. All this just to park my car to come to work,” she added.
Excel Parking Services, the company managing the car park, implemented a rule requiring drivers to purchase tickets within five minutes of arrival to prevent misuse of the parking lot by patrons of nearby cinemas and hotels. The parking area is monitored by ANPR cameras, which track vehicle arrival and departure times.
Since the rule was introduced in 2021, Hannah Robinson has been fined 67 times, with each penalty amounting to around £170 (Rs 18,000). She remarked that the new five-minute policy unfairly penalizes those who pay for parking legitimately. Despite following the rules, she is facing substantial charges.
In response to Hannah’s situation, Darlington MP Lola McEvoy has requested an urgent meeting with Excel Parking Services. She stated, “I’ve written to Excel Parking and told them I want them to come to Parliament and meet with me and tell me to my face why they think it’s acceptable to treat people like this.” A spokesperson for the parking operator countered that a significant portion of motorists fail to pay.