Forum Topic

Parking at ASDA

The Gazette says they are fining people who without permission, park in disabled bays. But why should anyone pay up unless taken to court as it is a civil matter .... unless of course they are clamped too?

Graham Weeks ● 6822d10 Comments

Because as an Occupier, Asda give Visitors license to park on their land.  The terms of that license are dictated by the Occupier.In this case Asda have decided that the disabled and also parents need dedicated parking slots. Those whom are not eligible who use such are guilty of simple trespass – a civil matter as our resident Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells correctly identifies.If Asda decide to clamp, then that is their prerogative. Sainsburys at Turnham Green have been clamping non-shoppers for a long time.

Gavin Gilbert ● 6821d

Agreed. So if one decides not to pay their so called fine, the courts are open.

Graham Weeks ● 6821d

This is exactly why you should not just accept a ticket if you feel that it is unjustified. You should argue your case. Too many laws/rules/regulations are poorly worded and consequently poorly enforced.

Philippa Bond ● 6821d

Why? The rules in this case are simple and the designated parking bays clearly marked.  If Asda have taken the commerical decision to reserve parking places for certain classes of customer they have every right to enforce these including financial penalties for transgressors.

Gavin Gilbert ● 6821d

How exactly do you find the rules "simple"?

Philippa Bond ● 6821d

There's a stick diagram of a person in a wheelchair for disabled spaces, and 'Mother and Child Bay' painted for mother and child bays.What other clues do you want?

Gavin Gilbert ● 6821d

My objection is not because I want to wrongly park or defend those who do, but is rooted in the long standing objection to TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED.They will not. They can only be sued and it is unlikely to happen.

Graham Weeks ● 6821d

So it is OK if I take my 90 year old mother then?

Philippa Bond ● 6821d

There are far too many spaces allocated to disabled and mother and child at supermarkets. I agree there should be a small number, but perhaps they should introduce specific non rush hour times to these spaces, so they can be used by everybody at busy times.  Interestingly enough, I see many parents with babies in buggies and disabled people shopping in Marks & Spencer in Ealing Broadway Centre, where the car park is multi storey. I inadvertantly parked in a mother/child bay at Waitrose on a wet evening when I was alone and some officious woman in a jeep next to me pointed out I was incorrectly parked.  I assured her I was indeed a mother :-)

S. D. Brock ● 6821d

These parking spaces are patrolled by wardens who appear to have been given no real responsibility and so can make no common sense decisions themselves.  So if a very obviously heavily with-child woman who walks with difficulty and needs the extra space to get in and out of a car happens to park there she will be ticketed.  Yet those who are far more able who have no trouble walking and do not need the extra space will be allowed to use the spaces at will. This mindless attempt to control everything, allowing no sensible flexibility causes a lot of ill-feeling.

Philippa Bond ● 6820d