Teen fined £95 at Bradgate Park for leaving ticket face-down

A teenager is facing a £95 fine for leaving his parking face-down on his first trip to Bradgate Park after passing his driving test.

Angus Gladstone was given a £55 fine after his trip to the park in January despite having paid the £3 charge.

The 17-year-old from Ullesthorpe, near Lutterworth, is now facing a bill of £95 because he appealed and did not pay the fine within 14 days.

Angus, a student a Lutterworth College, said: “I can’t believe this.

“I passed my test on December 21 and this was my first trip out to Bradgate Park. I love the place and have been there many times over the years with friends and family.

“In January, lockdown was getting us down so myself and girlfriend decided to take a trip out to Bradgate Park for a walk which would give us exercise and lots of fresh air.”

He said they arrived at about 1.30pm on Saturday, January 9 and parked in the Old John car park and paid £3.

“That gave us until dusk but we got back to the car at about 4pm,” he said.

“I could see there as parking fine stuck on my windscreen. It told me I had displayed the ticket upside down so it was not valid.

“I did not know you had to put a ticket a certain way up. I paid the right amount and displayed the ticket.

“It ruined our day and I think it is really mean-spirited and awful. I appealed and lost that and now face a £95 fine. It is just not right.”

Bradgate Park car park

Angus appealed to POPLA – the independent appeals service and they turned down his application.

“I’m not sure if I want to come to Bradgate Park again after this,” he added.

Spring Parking, the parking enforcement company used by the Bradgate Park Trust said Angus failed to display his ticket as required by the rules.

A Spring Parking spokesperson said: “There is signage in place warning that failure to display a valid payment at any time will result in the vehicle being issued with a Parking Charge Notice.

“An incorrect number or upside down ticket (so it cannot be read) would result in a parking charge notice.

“Bradgate Park has introduced parking receipts with adhesive to reduce the chance of tickets being displayed incorrectly.

“The onus is on the vehicle owner to ensure the correct display of a ticket to enable the operative to confirm, on inspection, that a valid ticket is being used.

“This is the same for any pay or display parking area in the county.

“Spring Parking offer an appeals process, and the driver appealed the PCN, we rejected the appeal as the parking receipt was face down.

“Spring Parking offered the driver the choice to pay the discounted amount of £55.00 or appeal further to POPLA and if POPLA reject the appeal the full amount of £95.00 is due.

“The driver chose to appeal further to POPLA, an independent appeals provider. POPLA assessed the appeal, and have also rejected the appeal.

“The PCN now stands at £95.00.”

Bradgate Park (Image: Chris De Bretton-Gordon)

POLPA said in its adjudication: “Though I sympathise with the appellant for only recently passing his test, I am satisfied that the signage sets out what is expected from motorists when purchasing a ticket.

“The appellant failed to display a valid ticket correctly and there fore did not comply with the terms and conditions.

“I conclude the PCN has been issued correctly. I must refuse this appeal.”

A Bradgate Park Trust spokesperson said that Spring Parking is responsible for monitoring and enforcing the pay and display car parks.

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