A Nottinghamshire car park has become the center of controversy after numerous drivers received £100 fines for brief stops, sparking complaints about inadequate signage and challenging the fairness of enforcement practices.
Dave Knight, 50, recently faced this situation following stomach surgery when he pulled over to manage a sudden illness. His appeal was denied because his brother briefly left the vehicle to retrieve water, leading officials to deem it “parked.” Knight expressed frustration with the signage, stating, “That [the council signage] is green and yellow, and the board’s about 10ft by 5ft. And you’ve got this which is a little 1ft square sign and the print is so small.
”
Similar experiences have been reported by other motorists. Martin Leighton, 41, was issued a fine after entering the car park for just 70 seconds to drop off his sister and execute a U-turn—a maneuver he felt was necessary due to traffic behind him. He argued, “If I had been parked up, if I left my vehicle and completely ignored the legislation, I can understand them being angry and invoicing me. But if it’s someone just turning around then I don’t think that warrants a £100 fine.
”
These incidents have prompted concerns about compliance with industry standards. The private parking sector’s Code of Practice, introduced in October 2024, mandates signage that is “sufficiently large to be visible from a distance and legible on approach.” However, the International Parking Community clarified these rules are not retroactive and enforcement will begin at the end of 2026.
UKPS, the company managing the car park, maintains it operates fairly and adheres to existing regulations, asserting that its signage “complied with parking industry regulations.” Despite this claim, Leighton has taken proactive steps to alert drivers, flagging down vehicles and sharing videos online, garnering thousands of views. He stated, “I don’t want little old ladies to turn around in that car park and get fined for someone sat watching a camera.
”
Both Knight and Leighton have settled their fines but remain vocal about the permit-only requirement and what they perceive as unfair enforcement.
Legal expert Derek Millard-Smith explained that parking on private land is typically governed by contract law, and Parking Charge Notices (PCNs) are considered “a contractual debt.” He cautioned these debts could be pursued through civil courts, potentially impacting credit ratings and leading to a County Court Judgement.
* Drivers are being charged £100 for brief entries into the car park.
* Concerns have been raised regarding signage visibility and clarity.
* The Code of Practice mandates clear and visible signage, but enforcement is delayed until 2026.
