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Penalised for "parking over two bays" - can I contest this?

I have been issued with a penalty notice of £80 reduced to £50 for prompt payment by APCOA parking. The alleged offence was "parking over two bays" in the station car park at Bristol Parkway station. One of my rear wheels was on the white line as this was the only way I could park in the restricted space available. There was no question of stopping a car from parking in the next space as there was already one there. I have paid the £50 under protest, claiming that there is no obvious notice warning drivers of this penalty and the fine is out of proportion to the offence. This occurred on 7 November and so far I have had no reply from APCOA. Do you think it is worth taking this to the small claims court?

Asked on 19 January 2013 by JD, via email

Answered by Honest John
Unfortunately, you have paid already. Had you not paid you could have taken it through the three-stage appeal process. What drivers have to remember is that parking enforcement is a very dodgy business model. It relies absolutely on petty infringements that do no one any harm in order to generate revenue. There is no question of reason and common sense. The only way to beat these bastards is to comply absolutely with every contractual rule they impose on you parking in the area they patrol. See: www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/private-parking-penalties/
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