DRIVERS have shared their shock at being fined for entering a car park for just a few minutes.

Motorists who decided not to use the car park have received penalty charge notices (PCNs) despite being within a ten-minute ‘penalty free dwell time’.

St Anthony’s car park on Battery Road, Penzance, was recently gifted by Cornwall Council to neighbouring Jubilee Pool, to help raise much-needed revenue for the running of the largest sea water lido in the UK.

The day-to-day management of the car park is now run by private company Parkingeye on behalf of the Friends of Jubilee Pool, a charity which was set up by locals to ensure the long-term survival of the unique facility. Many people who use the car park – or use it as a quick drop-off spot – aren’t happy at being penalised since Parkingeye took over. The pool has taken action as a result.

Among comments by those who have received penalties after visiting St Anthony’s car park, one driver said: “I was in this car park last week and tried to pay using the JustPark app which it clearly advertises all around, but my phone could not get a signal so I left and parked in the Greenmarket car park. I have just got a fine for being in a space for seven minutes trying to get a signal to pay!”

Another said: “My wife recently drove in there to collect my daughter from the bathing pool. She didn’t leave the car but didn’t buy a ticket. Yesterday we received a parking charge notice for £100. Reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days of the parking date. The charge was sent out 14 days after the parking date making it impossible to pay within 14 days.”

“I waited six minutes for my daughter to go ask for a job at Jubilee and got the same – appealed and nothing at all. I didn’t even turn off my engine or park in a space,” added a third motorist, while another said: “Got a parking ticket for being six minutes over the time because they judge it from when you enter the car park rather than when you pay for a ticket.”

Posting on a Facebook page dedicated to Penzance, a resident commented: “Given the parking facility was handed to Jubilee Pool, who in turn have let a contract to the parking operators, can we ask Jubilee Pool to review this contract? It’s blatantly obvious it’s not in the best interests of our community. Jubilee Pool being community owned are usually spot-on with looking after its locals, such as the locals discount and kids passes.”

The Friends of Jubilee Pool have indeed listened to the local community.

Nicola Murdoch, CEO of the pool, said: “As soon as we became aware of this issue we requested that Parkingeye extend the ‘penalty free dwell time’ to ten minutes. They agreed to do this back in June and so these PCNs should not be being issued.

“We have asked Parkingeye to cancel any PCN issued in this regard and refund anyone who has already paid a fine as a result. We request that any affected drivers raise concerns directly to Parkingeye as it is beyond our control.”