Grieving man fined for parking for three minutes too long at East Wittering
A man who parked in an East Wittering car park to make funeral arrangements for a relative was stung with a hefty £120 parking fine – for being three minutes late.
Nolan Spratt has hit at out Shoal Enforcement for issuing the ticket after he parked at New Parade car park by Shore Road on August 19.
He was visiting funeral directors FA Holland and Sons to make funeral arrangements for his father-in-law – who had died the day before.
"Free parking is advertised. The signs Shoal Enforcement has put up aren't as clear," said Mr Spratt.
"We were told we should have had a permit to stay for more than 30 minutes. The signage is conflicting.
"FA Holland and Sons is also upset about this and has said they will pay the parking charge."
He added: "Amazingly Shoal Enforcement only allows appeals after paying the charge and there is no way of speaking to anyone over the phone or on-line about it.
"This I feel is wholly unjust and I will be appealing against the charge. I felt I had to write to warn others of the new parking enforcement company operating in East Wittering and the practices of their operatives."
Mr Spratt, who lives in Horsham, was slapped with a 120 parking fine, which is only reduced to 75 if drivers write to Shoal within 48 hours.
Drivers who do not pay their fine in 28 days have to fork out 180.
His mother-in-law Jeanne Root said: "They saw us going in the funeral home and coming out. I was upset because my son in law was upset. He was so annoyed."
Keith Coup of Itchenor does his local shopping in East Wittering and has used the New Parade car park for years.
"When first built many years ago the car park was private and people got clamped," he said.
"Since then there has been normal parking which has helped East Wittering enormously. Now it has gone back to clamping and giving tickets. I got a parking ticket for 120."
A Shoal Enforcement spokesman said: "We have been instructed to patrol New Parade Shops on behalf of the site owners; they were approached by the businesses of New Parade, complaining at the abuse by non customers, we allow all visitors 30 minutes as stated on the many signs, 6 in total around the car park.
"Photographic evidence is taken and a notice issued for every over stay, it is impossible to comment on individual cases unless further details are provided.
"This car park has been abused for many years by holiday makers and locals alike, businesses have a right to protect their, spaces for use by their customers.
"Any person who received a notice has the right to appeal but we will vigorously pursue all non payment through the courts."
A Chichester District Council spokesman said: "We would advise residents to always check the signs in the car parks before parking."
Further details can be found on the website www.shoalenforcement.co.uk
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