I have written to the Chief Executive of Smart Parking – the company manging the parking around Townlands Hospital. In that letter I said that I was aware that the GPs surgeries had cancelled the contract with the company in August last year due to problems but that they are left with a legacy of contested PCNs. I have also had constituents raise concerns directly with me in growing numbers.
The system used for parking is unclear and technology is difficult for some to use. As a result, some people are not sure what is required of them to legally park and thus have not always complied with the requirements. Others have tried to use the technology but without success, and still more have been issued PCNs incorrectly when they entered and left within the agreed 20 minute grace period.
I am fully aware that there have been problems with parking at the hospital. I am also mindful that people visiting the hospital will either be unwell themselves or often in some sort of stress or distress as they seek to assist relatives and friends who are unwell. It would seem that the system is inappropriate for the circumstances. The PCN issues are adding to this stress for all concerned.
Given the problems I have suggested that the most reasonable action is that an immediate hold is put on pursuing all PCNs issued at this location and then all issued in these questionable circumstances are cancelled.
I have also written to the Chief Executive of NHS Hospitals Trust to raise the issue.
In addition, I am pleased to see that the Government is supporting (as am I) a Private Member's Bill to give drivers new legal protections from unscrupulous private parking operators. The Parking (Code of Practice) Private Member's Bill introduced by Sir Greg Knight MP received a Second Reading recently. Drivers have increasingly been complaining of inconsistent practises, substandard signage, confusing appeals processes and intimidating payment letters. This Bill will allow the Government to develop a stringent new Code of Practice in conjunction with motorists groups and other experts. Operators falling foul of the new rules would then be blocked from accessing driver data and issuing fines, effectively forcing them out of the industry.
