Woman ‘very angry’ at getting parking fine despite leaving ‘friendly message’

A woman has spoken out against being fined despite leaving a “friendly note” on the bonnet of her car.

Janice Bailey, who works as a tour guide, stopped by Plymouth around lunchtime on January 11th.

She claims a nearby parking meter has been covered with an “Out of Order” sign.

Janice only had coins, so couldn’t pay by any other method, so she quickly wrote a note to alert any parking attendant to the situation.

But her red Citroen was fined anyway and failed to overturn her despite numerous appeal attempts.

Janice, who lives in Dousland, says she has now “given up” and handed over £25 to the council.

She told Plymouth Live: “I just feel really upset and inflamed.

“Apparently I should have scanned a barcode, but I didn’t have my phone with me and I don’t have internet on my phone anyway.

“People older than me in their 70s and 80s don’t need to know what to do; I wouldn’t have a fucking clue even if I had my phone.”

Janice had been parked at Derrys Cross near the Athenaeum at 12.05pm on 11 January.

She had only been away from her car for 30 minutes before returning to discover the fine.

Janice added: “The parking department told me their cameras showed the meter was working. But if it worked, why was it covered? Please be careful motorists in Plymouth: if a parking meter isn’t working, park elsewhere.

“I really should have taken a photo on my iPad, I wish I had. I won’t get my money back but I can warn other people.’

A spokesman for Plymouth City Council said it was unable to comment on an individual case.

However, a spokesperson added: “If a parking machine is out of service, people should use an alternative payment method (e.g. location with working machine.

“As we announced in November, we will soon be phasing out cash payments and upgrading all the machines on the street to accept payments by phone, credit and debit cards and mobile apps.

“This will give drivers more payment options while eliminating the need to collect, store and process cash, reducing the city’s carbon footprint.”

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