Parking 'trap' in Preston is snaring residents

Furious residents claim they are caught in a “parking trap” after being hit by an avalanche of penalty tickets during lockdown.
Resident Mayank Soni is refusing to pay his five 100 tickets for parking in front of his home.Resident Mayank Soni is refusing to pay his five 100 tickets for parking in front of his home.
Resident Mayank Soni is refusing to pay his five 100 tickets for parking in front of his home.

Homeowners in Britannia Drive on Preston docklands say their development has more apartments than car spaces.

And a private parking firm has been drafted in to book those who leave their vehicles on the street when the bays are full - even though there are no yellow lines in sight.

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“It’s absolutely disgraceful what’s been going on here,” said businessman Mayank Soni, who has been ticketed five times in recent weeks - his wife has picked up three.

Signs say cars must only park in marked bays, but residents say there are more apartments than spaces.Signs say cars must only park in marked bays, but residents say there are more apartments than spaces.
Signs say cars must only park in marked bays, but residents say there are more apartments than spaces.

“We employ a management company to look after this area and they have brought in the parking firm to do this.

“There are no yellow lines on the street. But, because it’s private land and not a public highway, they think they can do what they like. They’ve even been booking people at almost midnight.”

Mr Soni has refused to pay any of his £100 tickets and has challenged the management company (Homestead Consultancy Services of Lytham St Annes) or the parking firm (ES Parking Enforcement from Preston) to take him to court.

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“I’ll look forward to my day in court, if we ever get that far,” he said. “But, on behalf of the victims in Britannia Drive, someone has got to take these people on.

“This is a trap because there aren’t enough parking bays for everyone who lives here and when they are all full what do we do? We can’t park on another development because they’re also full.

“The nearest place you can safely leave your car is about two miles away. We’re also shareholders as well as residents, so it’s shocking the way we’re being treated.

“No-one should be allowed to make money like this. I’ve asked the company why they’ve hired these parking people, but I’ve had no response at all.”

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A spokesman for Homestead said the company was asked to bring in a parking enforcement company by the directors of Britannia Quay (Preston) Ltd who were residents on the development.

“The directors have instructed us to employ a parking enforcement company to monitor parking on the development.

“ES Parking Enforcement are issuing parking tickets on vehicles that are inappropriately parked.”

ES Parking has been approached for a comment.