Well Bromptonaut and Gibbo. You make very fair points and I agree with them. The situations you mention are the ones that need parking enforcement and I would expect the people whose parking is being abused to have systems in place to protect their rights. But I don't connect that with the basic principle of innocent unless proven guilty. In effect it is down to some money grubbing commercial organisation, whose revenue depends on 'fines', to decide what happens. I am not in favour of that.

I repeat I am not in favour of wholesale free and abandoned parking anywhere. The parking is organised to be used properly for the benefit of all. Which means the vast majority use the facilities wisely and with consideration for others. The few that don't end up on forums bleating about being victimised. Each case on it's merits and not a one size fits all approach with the commercial companies in charge of policy. Is that clear now?

Several times parking companies have attempted to extort money from me under false pretences and they have always failed. Why? I hear you cry. They have been wrong, that is why. And I have the courage and resources to defend myself. Using previously expressed logic I am either guilty because they say I am or I am a m**** for not understanding some of the deliberately complex procedures for parking. Neither of which is the case i can assure of that too. Just a little more circumspection within the system concerning this subject is all I ask. Not a lot really.

Cheers Concrete

relying on ignorance and unwillingness to take them on.

Ignorance is no excuse. We can't pick and choose which signs to ignore in the highway code. Same applies to free parking elsewhere.

I'm sick of these idiots who go running to the paper because they "didn't see the sign" in the car park. The signs which are on every pole or lamp post in the place.

If you intend to comment on my posts, please read them carefully first. My statement was that people are ignorant of the process to defend themselves against these companies or do not have the resources or resolve to do so. Why do you think the invoices they issue mimic a real PCN? You may be surprised at how many people take them for the real thing. Coincidence? I don't think so. Ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law or any reasonable contract. But no one should be persecuted for a 'fine' because they lack the ability to defend themselves, through ignorance or otherwise. It is called a caring society.

Cheers Concrete