Council refuse to refund fines after Crewe motorists caught up in car park closure
Cheshire East Council has refused appeals from motorists who were caught up in a recent Crewe car park closure - complained about by the Crewe & Nantwich MP.
Oak Street Car Park was recently closed for a day (August 22), but a number of motorists parked there - unaware of the closure that was only advertised via plain white notices on lamp posts.
You could still pay to park there via the PayByPhone parking app.
Despite indicating any appeals would be considered sympathetically, the council has denied appeals by a number of motorists including staff from the MPs office.
These appeals are from motorist who paid to park on the parking app meaning they did not visit the parking payment machine where the notices were most prominent.
Today (August 31), Dr Kieran Mullan MP said: "This is very disappointing and I have written to the council to ask them to think again.
"If the car park had a proper prominent sign or a barrier put up, if the machine was bagged up, if the app wasn't allowing people to book none of this would have happened.
"The council shouldn't dig their heals in, they should just recognise this wasn't done properly, apologise and squash the fines.
"I will be supporting anyone who doesn't pay their fine and challenges it."
On Friday (August 26), Cheshire East Council said notices of the closure were displayed around the car park and warned it may have to be closed again.
The council did not explain why the car park wasn't disabled in the PayByPhone app and why closure notices were not posted on the parking machines.
A Cheshire East spokesperson said: "We are aware of concerns raised by some drivers who were already present and had paid. These will be looked into.
"Anyone wishing to appeal any penalties issued is advised to act in accordance with the instructions on the penalty notice.
"The council will deal with an appeal in accordance with published national guidelines."
Cheshire East said abuse was directed at staff following the car park closure and fines.
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