A PAIR of visitors were shocked to receive a £100 fine after parking in a Weymouth car park - for 36 minutes less than they had paid for.
Iain Robb and Owen Williams spent two weeks in Weymouth, staying at Bowleaze Cove to enjoy fishing and kayaking in the area.
One day they decided to go for a paddle around the Nothe Fort area and parked in the Old Town East car park, managed by Parking Eye.
Iain said the car park was practically empty and they commented on how cheap the parking was at just £1 for two hours.
The pair returned to their car well within the two hours.
Iain said: "Nearly two weeks after returning home to Bristol were horrified to receive a £100 charge demand in the post.
"I am very angry because I knew that we definitely paid for adequate parking."
He said he began searching for the ticket and eventually found it, proving that they had paid for two hours when the penalty notice actually stated their stay had been for one hour 24 minutes.
The charge would have been reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.
Parking Eye claimed that Iain had entered the wrong number plate, something he denies, and says it has now cancelled the charge.
Despite the cancellation, Iain is still concerned about their treatment at the hands of Parking Eye and is worried that if people encounter a similar experience it may deter future visitors from returning to Weymouth.
He added: "We wonder how many vulnerable elderly folk in Weymouth not in receipt of the original ticket as evidence would just pay Parking Eye.
"Thank heaven we are a couple of untidy guys who enjoy Weymouth and not cleaning out the car."
A spokesperson from ParkingEye said: “Parking Eye operates an audited appeals process and encourage people to appeal if they feel there are mitigating circumstances.
"In this case we have not received an appeal – but it appears that the motorist had entered an incorrect number plate into our system.
"As a gesture of goodwill we have cancelled the parking charge."
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@dorsetecho.co.uk
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