People are still waiting to hear back from a car park operator after receiving unexpected fines.
As reported by the News, visitors to Eype Beach have been receiving hefty fines after the car park operation was taken over by Euro Car Parks.
As well as new charges and the threat of fines, there is no parking allowed between 9pm and 8am - preventing drivers visiting the beauty spot at night.
Eype Beach has been described as a ‘locals’ beach by many and those using the car park never had to worry about parking rules and having to return within a certain time limit. Visitors used to pop money in an 'honesty box' at the site.
Mr Billington from Devon said he visits the beauty spot with his dog at least every two to three weeks, adding ‘but after this, we are not planning to come back.’
He purchased a ticket from the machine for £2.50 and ‘repeatedly tried to enter his full registration’ however, it would only allow him to enter the first five digits which he assumed would be enough.
Around two weeks after, he received the £100 fine in the post.
After launching an appeal, Euro Car Parks sent Mr Billington an automated email saying that it would take up to 28 days to deal with and he is yet to hear back.
He said: “It’s not the nicest thing to deal with.”
Anthony Jones also received a substantial £100 fine after parking in the car park late at night to take his young daughter to the beach.
Mr Jones is a former Bridport resident who now lives in Wales and was visiting the area to spend quality time with his daughter at the beach.
He said: “I checked for signage and saw the old sign on the gate that says strictly no overnight parking or camping.”
Mr Jones had assumed that this was outside of tariff times and was ‘absolutely horrified’ to receive a fine in the post.
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READ MORE: Major upset over Euro Car Parks changes at Eype Beach
He immediately appealed the fine which Euro Car Parks refused, but has since taken the issue up with POPLA (Parking On Private Land Appeals).
Mr Jones who is struggling financially at the moment said: “The last thing that I heard was that they had declined my appeal, but they did say that I could appeal to POPLA.
“Money is particularly short at the moment, but even if it wasn’t I would still protest and appeal this. - I am having to watch every penny and £100 on a ticket is ridiculous.”
Euro Car Parks and car park owner George Wingfield Digby were approached by the News for comment.
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