Former parking enforcer helping St Helens residents appeal controversial charges

As announced by the government this week, private car parks will soon have to display prices more clearly, introduce a fairer system for appeals and give drivers a grace period for lateness.

Most fines across the country will be capped at £50 - down from £100 currently, with Minister for Levelling Up Neil O'Brien saying that private firms often adopt “a system of misleading and confusing signage, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees designed to extort money from motorists.”

Changes to private parking rules were announced this week (PA)

In St Helens, many residents have complained about parking at the Range over the years after feeling they have been unfairly fined.

The home and garden superstore has always maintained that the car park - which is run by a private contractor - only charges people who park there and go elsewhere, rather than genuine shoppers.

However, some of those penalised say they did shop at the Range but briefly left the car park before returning to their vehicle.

Many others have disputed their charges which have been enforced for overstaying their two-hour window or for "not parking correctly" in the marked parking bays.

Ocean Car Parking - who operate the car park - has been charging residents £100 for each penalty, which is reduced to £60 if motorists pay within 14 days.

On social media, people have consistently raised their concerns on the matter, with one resident saying they never shop at the Range due to being “petrified of getting fined”.

One pregnant woman explained that she was fined after nipping to the Wetherspoons toilets for five minutes, while many more said they have not returned to the store since being unreasonably charged and unfairly treated in the appeal process.

While the new government regulations may soon improve things for motorists, there is one man who has been fighting the system for years.

Many residents have complained about the lack of free parking in the town centre (Image: St Helens Star)

Tony Taylor, from Wrexham, is a former parking attendant who became disillusioned with the way the private parking industry operates.

Over the years, Tony has appealed almost 7000 private parking charges and states he has a 91% strike rate.

This includes the Range car park on Chalon Way, where he says he has never lost a case.

With a background in contract law, Tony alleges that private firms use “dirty tricks” to extort money from motorists such as attendants and signage not being visible in car parks.

He also claims that attendants often do not give shoppers any grace period for lateness and the appeals process is designed to be complicated so that people pay their fine.

Tony Taylor has been fighting the private parking industry for years

Tony, who has been on Channel 4 Dispatches and Good Morning Britain, said:

“I’ve been doing this for more than five years now and I’ll help anyone, anywhere in the country.

“I’ve seen parking wardens hiding in car parks watching people leave their cars, when they should be visible and in high-viz.

“It’s dirty tricks for profit, but innocent people doing their shopping are the ones affected and they get no help.”

Tony explained that his Facebook group designed to help motorists with parking charges now has more than 96,000 members and advised anyone with concerns over their fine to get in contact with him.

Tony on Good Morning Britain

A previous statement issued by The Range said: “Since The Range in St Helens opened in 2012 they have had continued issues with the private car park being used by people who do not intend to shop in the store.

“The superstore is located close to the town centre as well as St Helens RFC ground and this issue has an impact on genuine customers.

“The landlord that regulates the private car park has put restrictions in place to try and combat the misuse of the area and has bought in an external company to run it.”

“If a genuine customer is issued with a fine we are encouraging customers to get in contact with the store who will be able to evaluate the circumstances and providing they can give a valid receipt, the store manager will then honour the receipt and request for the parking fine be revoked.”