THERE is only a tiny ‘waiting’ area for motorists who are picking up friends and family from Bank Quay station – most is reserved, as it should be, for disabled and taxis.

I recently had a call from my daughter to collect her from the station.

I pulled into the nearby car park situated on Wilson Patten Street, just by Slutchers Lane.

She soon arrived and we went home.

Shortly afterwards I received an £85 charge notice from Highview Parking. Its CCTV footage shows I was parked for 11 minutes and had not paid a fee.

The minimum fee for this car park is £10 and it covers the first 24 hours.

I appealed this charge, stating that I hadn’t even left the vehicle.

I was there for just 11 minutes and I was not inconveniencing anyone. I explained that I felt £85 was completely out of proportion.

The appeal was rejected. And rejected again when I took it to the parking ombudsman, who quoted a case set before a High Court judge who reckoned an £85 fine is justifiable.

I write to therefore warn others off using this car park in similar circumstances. In my opinion it is immoral for them to charge such an amount.

As a matter of interest, I mentioned this to a friend. He had fallen foul as well and received a charge notice.

However he left his vehicle and noticed the £10 minimum and had driven straight off. Yet still got the charge. He appealed and won. I wonder how many people would have simply paid?

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED