Parking payment problems for visitor are defended by West Norfolk country site after fines

A parking management company has defended its payment machines at a village country park after a visitor was fined £100 having intended to pay.

Parking and Security Solutions has said they are concerned this individual was unable to pay on multiple occasions at Bawsey County Park, but emphasised the car park machine is “state of the art”.

The visitor wrote to West Norfolk Council to say she had tried using her bank card and coins but claimed they were not accepted by the machine on May 17.

Having been fined £100, she told the council: “We visited again on the 29th as Bawsey is so beautiful. This time I was determined not to get a fine as you can imagine.”

She proceeded to explain how she tried contacting two numbers on an information board after her bank card and cash were again refused.

“I texted a number shown and got an answer so I presumed payment had been accepted but it now seems it hadn’t,” she wrote.

“On the second visit, people all around me were mystified and we tried to help one another, but nothing works so doubtless they are in the same position. Can this really be allowed to continue?”

In response, Parking and Security Solutions said there are a total of seven payment methods on site and the machines take coins and cards including contactless.

There are also text, app, and mobile-based payment options.

The spokesman said there are instructions in a top panel which guide motorists through the purchase of a parking session.

He added: “Our ANPR based system at Bawsey is designed to manage those who do not pay, or overstay and preferably encourages compliance with the displayed parking tariffs.

“Sadly some people choose not to pay-and we are not saying that is the case here- whereas others pay for one hour and stay anything up to eight hours or beyond the closing time, which creates a security and safety issue as the gates cannot be locked.

“Our number is on the machine, on the tariff board and on numerous signs around the site. The phone is answered at all times by a human who would have, in this circumstance, taken appropriate action to ensure the motorist was not negatively impacted.

“ Sadly, no matter what we do to try and make things clear there will be a nominal number who cannot or do not comply and we are willing to assist those who reach out to us.”

Bawsey Pits is owned by Stephen Bacon who has sought to upgrade facilities on the site.

Visitor numbers are reported to have “swelled” at the site during the pandemic so grace periods have been extended.

The parking facilites are constantly under review including the need for additional signage, the parking operator added.