Forum Topic

Drivers be prepared to be pillaged

Tomorrow Ealing cabinet will pass Item 16 which will see pay and display machines phased out in car parks and on the road. They are to be replaced by telephone parking/confusion. Last week their poor system failed me and my friend. He paid by phone for two parking sessions but a week later he found no money had been taken from his account. I had parked without paying. How do I pay the council £1.20? but at the same time stood into the danger of paying £80 in fines.I like the system on the computer that sends you a confirming email straight away after you have ordered tickets or goods. You can print it and have hard copy if there are any subsequent mix-ups. The telephone system the council will be voting on tomorrow won't/can't do that.The current pay and display machines deliver paper receipts ....proof indeed that you have paid.Recent data shows that growth in the high street has lagged behind that of retail outlets in business parks with free parking. Will the council be mindful of this when they vote tomorrow?No they do what the officers tell them.In addition this should have gone into Ms P Bond's thread but it was urgent for tomorrow evening. Sorry Phillipa.

Arthur Breens ● 2050d20 Comments

Aren't these mostly in particular areas where a lot of permits would have been issued for the first time in a particular month?  And consequently the following years in the same month?  That would show you which CPZ areas were most affected.I kept the old one in the car which showed me the date.  (That still doesn't mean that I won't get caught when it becomes due!)  A reminder should be easy and no problem to email but more complicated to send.Just because you can do some things on a mobile phone doe not mean that you can do lots of others.  The same for ipads.  Some work for links and others don't.  Some machines accept downloads and some delete them. It took me ages to manage to copy a link on one machine so that I could read it.There is no way that I could send or copy attachments either.  I had three ordinary mobiles before someone gave me a simple Nokia.  Nobody could help with phones other than their own.  It really isn't logical to press "send" and then add the address!

Philippa Bond ● 2001d

It is not so much about the phone but you would need a smartphone and also a data allowance in order to use these apps. I use mine whenever I park but I have 5 different one's on my phone now. They are handy but what we see is the reduction of choice. What if my phone has no battery. What if the server of the application is not working. Ealing Council's parking hitlers will not accept that excuse. The would give my late girlfriend a ticket if her disabled badge was at an angle when displayed. Plainly an illegal ticket as the badge was clearly displayed and she would appeal and they would use the discretion (never admitting that the ticket guys were wrong). But this has been going on years this persecution. Less choice is plainly discriminatory but we also see in the issues people are currently having with renewals being charged multiple times and also being given unclear advice that LBE has a management problem when it comes to parking

Peter Chadburn ● 2002d

You may find it more convenient Peter but it is wrong to suggest that just because you can drive a car you should be able to use a mobile phone. Lots of older people struggle with smartphone technology and therefore don't own a phone or have a basic mobile. They have issues with small keypads because of arthritic fingers and seeing the display on the phone.

Tricia Arbuthnot ● 2002d

I'd have thought if old folk can manage the complexities of driving a car in London they can soon get the hang of working a mobile phone. I find it much more convenient to sit in the car tapping in a few numbers from the sign than padding off down the street to find the coin machine with the right money, and then back to put the paper ticket in the car window. Plus you can extend your stay with your phone without having to go back to your car. What's not to like!

Peter Evans ● 2005d

I'm all for older people engaging with modern technology; I'm in my mid sixties and wouldn't pay to park other than with my Apps. But people shouldn't be forced into it by being given no other way of paying.

Susan Kelly ● 2005d

I think it’s important to adapt to technology as you get older, why don’t you go to a phone shop and get a mobile phone. It might be difficult the first time you use it but after a few times you will find it much more convenient.

Andrew Boynton ● 2006d

Is there a record of any ruling about this issue by the Local Government Ombudsman?https://www.lgo.org.uk/

Paul Cronshaw ● 2006d

This action by Ealing Council is so wrong. What about all the people who don't have smart phones and as a result can't park. This particularly affects elderly people who often need cars to get about.

Ian Richardson ● 2006d

In broad terms smart phones have been with us for just over 10 years, the internet nearly 30 years, and home computers just over 30 years.

Philip Coe ● 2021d

The point is not that people aren't trying hard enough with tech but why should they be forced to carry a mobile phone when they don't otherwise use one.I believe attempts have been made to challenge cashless parking where it has been introduced elsewhere in the country on the basis of equalities legislation but without success. The government recognise this is an important source of extra revenues for local authorities and don't want to create obstacles to them maximising it.

Mark Evans ● 2023d

How gracious of you Mr.(and I use that salutation begrudgingly) James.

N V Brooks ● 2033d

I know loads of elderly people who are very much up to date with tech, and plenty of young people who aren't.It's not your age Beryl, it's you!

Paul James ● 2033d

I fear that you are not, Beryl, but the Council couldn't care less.

Susan Kelly ● 2033d

I am wondering what elderly people like myself who are not very PC literate and who do not have a mobile phone are supposed to pay to park ?

Beryl Bashford ● 2033d

So how do you put expenses in without receipts for them?

Philippa Bond ● 2037d

Oh, Arthur, the Pay BY Phone App also has your parking history in its menu, showing when and where you paid for parking.

Susan Kelly ● 2049d

Or you can ask for a text message confirmation, though they usually charge 10p for that.

Susan Kelly ● 2050d

Big thank you for that Susan. I was unaware

Arthur Breens ● 2050d

It's obviously wrong to remove the option of cash payment but the parking Apps that I use do send confirmation, usually in the form of an email, as proof.

Susan Kelly ● 2050d

And on the back of this unwelcome development (more potential problems for car owners in the borough) let's not forget that the council is also issuing PCNs to residents whose permits have expired and who have not been receiving the customary expiry warning reminders from the council. And that without advance warning of this abrupt change of service.Conclusion: parking services needs some intense scrutiny so that it improves its services. The contrary appears to be occurring.

Paul Cronshaw ● 2050d