A spokesperson for Vehicle Control Services said:
Vehicle Control Services have not done anything other than to perform their
contractual obligations for managing car parking arrangements at the
Eastgate Retail Park providing a 1.5 (one and a half) hour maximum stay car
parking arrangement.
We understand that following the involvement of the local Council and the
Town Centre Manager, we were requested to increase the maximum stay period
to 3 hours, on a temporary basis, with effect from 9th July 2012 until
further discussions took place between the client and ourselves.
Additionally, upon the request of our client all Parking Charge Notices
relating to contraventions on or before 8th July 2012 were placed on hold.
Our 'back office' processing system automatically generates reminder
correspondence at specified intervals should a Parking Charge Notice remain
unpaid or is not appealed. Unfortunately, for a small batch of 'Notices',
the automatic reminders were not switched off due to an administrative
oversight. As soon as this issue was brought to our attention last Friday
(10th August 2012), we acted promptly and issued apology letters to the
affected motorists by 1st class post the same day. In that correspondence,
we advised motorists that we are in discussions with our client and that
their Parking Charge Notice has been placed on hold and we would update them
further in due course.
Due to holidays, we don't expect that discussions with our client will be
concluded until at least the end of this month (August).
For the avoidance of doubt, Parking Charge Notices issued in relation to
motorists who have exceeded the 3 hour maximum stay at Eastgate Retail Park
from 9th July 2012 will be processed as normal.]
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Vehicle Control Services Limited
2 Europa Court, Sheffield Business Park, Sheffield S9 1XE
