Court threat for services parking
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• Somerset-based DF George is following in the footsteps of Ralph Davies International by contesting the right of Granada Service Stations to charge for parking (CM19-25 August).
Farm business DF George, which runs four trucks, has received a succession of payment demands for 160 over an outstanding parking notice—the latest coming from Cheshire-based Chafes solicitors. On 16 August Chafes threatened OF George with court action and £189.25 costs unless payment was received by 23 August.
David George, managing director of DF George, says the problems began when one of his drivers filled up his fuel tank and had a meal at Severn Bridge station on 26 May.
"The driver says when he parked up he didn't see any ticket machines and nobody approached him even though he was in his cab watching a Manchester United match," says George. "It is particularly annoying that having spent over 1250 at the services on fuel and food we are now faced with a demand for parking." George has now written back to the solicitors, saying he is "at a loss to understand how a charge of this amount can be justified".
Granada has always insisted there are well-signposted pay-and-display machines at all service stations and that debt collection agencies are "within their rights to pursue recompense in the form of penalty payments".
The Freight Transport Association believes Granada should be pursuing the driver and not the company for payment. Don McIntyre, head of highways and traffic, says: "Anyone receiving threatening letters should say they have been advised that the driver is entirely responsible for any charges."
The FTA has a meeting lined up with Granada in October to discuss penalty charges and signing.