Man says parking fine ruined his holiday in Weymouth

Steve Cottrell and his wife enjoyed a stay in the resort at an Airbnb but got home to Rhyl in North Wales to find they had been slapped with a fine for not paying at the Parking Eye private car park in Newberry Gardens behind Brewers Quay.

The private car park in Weymouth (Image: Tom Lawrence)

The couple had visited the car park for six minutes but decided not to park there after seeing the prices - but were still charged in line with the car park's rules.

The car park, which has CCTV cameras to record number plates of cars entering and exiting the site, has caught out many drivers in the past.

The parking sign at the Weymouth car park (Image: Tom Lawrence)

Parking Eye insists there are signs on the site explaining how the car park works.

Mr Cottrell said: "My wife and I went to Weymouth for a holiday, we had an Airbnb booked.

Steve Cottrell said the fine ruined his holiday (Image: Steve Cottrell)

"We couldn't find the street it was on and we were pleased to find a car park near Weymouth Harbour.

"We parked at the far end and got some of our luggage out, my partner stayed in the car and kept the engine running.

"I went to the parking machine, I saw there was no overnight stay, no contactless payment and it would have cost £8.

"I thought 'I am not paying that much'.

"We eventually got to the AirBnb and parked on the street.

"When we got home to North Wales we were sent a £100 fine by Parking Eye, which would be £60 if paid in the next couple of weeks.

"I had parked there for six minutes and 12 seconds, which was enough time to get there, see the price and then go off again.

"I contacted Parking Eye and they said I could appeal to an independent body POPLA, but if I did appeal, I lose the ability to pay the lower fine of £60.

"I just think that is wrong."

Mr Cottrell has sent a letter to Trading Standards, South Dorset MP Lloyd Hatton as well as Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.

Mr Cottrell added: "It ruined the holiday.

"We have sworn never to go back to Weymouth again.

"Because these things happen all over the UK, we won't be going on holiday in the UK, we will just go abroad.

"To my mind, I didn't even park there, I looked at the terms and conditions and drove off.

"For six minutes it is an equivalent hourly rate of £964 per hour, it is not right.

"The car park was empty, we weren't taking up a place, we had been driving for six hours and needed to stop somewhere."

A Parking Eye spokesperson stated: “The car park at Weymouth Old Town West features 17 prominent and highly visible signs throughout providing information on how to use the car park responsibly. 

“This includes guidance on the tariff being payable at machine or by phone. The tariff must be paid before exiting the car park and the full correct vehicle registration is required. 

 “The motorist received a parking charge after parking on July 15 and did not pay the tariff.

"The motorist has appealed this parking charge and is now awaiting a POPLA decision on this case. 

“We operates a BPA (British Parking Association) audited appeals process, which motorists can use to appeal their parking charge.

"If anyone has mitigating circumstances, we would encourage them to highlight this by appealing and providing any supporting evidence. All motorists are also entitled to a further appeal via POPLA, the independent body which reviews all cases.”