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The Walk car park in Ebbw Vale

X-Ray has good news for people who feel they’ve been unfairly charged for parking at The Walk in Ebbw Vale since Excel Parking Services Limited took over the running of the facility this autumn.Β 

After we contacted the landowner of The Walk, they’ve β€œinstructed” Excel Parking Services Limited to cancel multiple tickets issued to blue badge holders who hadn’t realised they needed to pay to park there -Β  and refund administration fees where valid tickets had been purchased but motorists had received parking charge notices.

Although everyone who used the car park should have been charged to park there, in the past blue badge holders weren’t penalised if they hadn’t paid and displayed a valid ticket.Β 

Excel Parking Services began issuing parking charge notices to registered owners they had traced using the DVLA’s database and Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras installed at the car park.Β 

Some drivers received several charges of Β£60 a time, before they realised there was a new regime in force at The Walk.Β  Pat Dobbs told X-Ray, β€œIt's upsetting a lot of people, they don't want to come in here and park because they're too afraid to park in case they have a fine.”

Local Councillor John Rogers and MP Nick Smith leant their weight to the campaign for clearer signs and a more lenient approach from Excel Parking Services.Β  The company was also criticised for charging a ten pound administration fee to drivers who have had their charges overturned on appeal.

Susan Lewis from Brynmawr received a letter from Excel demanding payment - even though the photographic evidence from Excel showed she left the car park thirty seven minutes before her time was up.Β 

She told X-Ray, β€œThey are saying I didn't display my ticket.Β  I did display my ticket!Β  I'm not acknowledging this firm at all. I've got a ticket.Β 

β€œIf they want to take me to court, they can take me to court, perhaps they can spend a bit of money they've had off innocent people.”

Excel Parking Services say they follow the British Parking Association guidelines in the running of the car park.Β  They advise anyone who feels they've received a parking charge notice in error to contact them in writing so they can investigate.Β 

Derrick Brown did just that, but was unhappy with the response he got from Excel.Β  Derrick uses a wheelchair and couldn't access the ticket machine because a car was parked in the bay next to the machine.Β  He says he waited five to 10 minutes, but there was no attendant he could ask for help.Β  Derrick took a photo of the car that had prevented him from buying a ticket. So when he got a letter from Excel demanding Β£60, he wrote to appeal.

He said, β€œWithin about five days I got a reply saying there weren't sufficient grounds for cancelling.” After X-Ray got in touch with Excel, they reviewed Derrick's case and cancelled the notice against him.Β 

The landowners of The Walk have confirmed they've told Excel Parking to refund all the multiple tickets issued to blue badge holders and any administration fees charged to people with valid tickets up to 23 November 2011 -Β  which was when they were told of the problem by X-Ray. They've also asked for better signs by the disabled bays.

X-Ray will be monitoring the situation at The Walk.

Excel Parking Services Limited says, β€œIf a motorist believes that they have been issued a PCN [Parking Charge Notice] incorrectly or they consider they have mitigating circumstances, then we invite them to appeal to us in writing.” 

It’s important to clearly say why you feel the charge should not apply.

If you aren’t happy with their response then you can contact the and

If you would like to get in contact with X-Ray, click here to pass on your comments to the team