A YOUNG woman slapped with an £11k parking fine has given the car park operator “a taste of what if feels like”; after beating them in court- forcing them to pay £10k in costs.
Excel Parking was roundly criticised for charging drivers £100 if they took over five minutes to pay at a car park- despite poor signal and a glitchy payment app often making this impossible.
Hannah Robinson, 21, who parked in Feethams Leisure car park in Darlington whilst working at a nearby steak house, has been trying to explain to the company since 2021 that it was impossible to pay the charge within five minutes.
However, in February 202,4, Excel demanded she pay £11,390 for 67 breaches of the five-minute rule at £100 each plus a £70 debt collection fee.
The firm took her to court to force her to pay fines for breaching the five-minute window they introduced to crack down on people using the spot for free drop-offs.
But in a court hearing last month, a judge dismissed their claims and in a shock twist ordered the extortionate company to pay £10,240.10 in costs to a legal charity.
District Judge Janine Richards described Excel’s conduct as “both unreasonable and out of the norm.”;
Over £10k will be paid to Access to Justice Foundation, which raises funds to provide free legal advice to the most marginalised groups, such as single mothers and victims of sexual violence.
Speaking to the BBC, Hannah, from Eaglescliffe, County Durham, said: “Following the court hearing, I feel relieved, and a massive weight has lifted from my shoulders.
“It has been extremely stressful and frustrating; I constantly worried what letters I was receiving or who was going to knock at the door after the threats.”
“I feel happy that they [Excel Parking] are getting a taste of what it felt like for me.”
After receiving the letter this year, she broke down to her family.
Her nan, Adrienne Atkin, couldn’t believe that “a company could do that.”;
She told the BBC: “I was shocked. it had an effect on a young girl that shouldn’t have happened when she should be out working, having fun.
It affected a young girl that shouldn't have happened, when she should be out working, having fun.
“At some point, Hannah just stayed in her bedroom. When her phone rang,g she was on edge because she didn't know if it was going to be them.”
Hannah described how she had “practically begged”; to speak to someone at the company but was continually ignored.
She told the BBC: “I started getting a couple of fines, and I was young and had just started driving, so I would pay them because I was scared.”;
Despite the harassment, she continued to park her BMW in the car park because it was the “safest option”; for a young woman at night as there was a lift straight to her workplace.
She added: “I knew about the five-minute rule and knew I sometimes couldn't pay within it, however I've shown proof of the app not working and cash machines nine out of ten times not working.
“It is 3G in that car park, and I feel sorry for people with babies or disabilities who can't pay in five minutes. It's a joke.”
Hannah had free pro-bono legal representation, but the judge ordered a pro bono costs order where the lawyer is compensated for their costs.
