Edinburgh driver in parking blunder after being fined despite paying meter

An Edinburgh tourist was left bemused after paying for parking only to find a ticket on his windscreen when he returned to his car.

Alan Miller was visiting the capital from London on April 2 and parked his hire car on King Stables Road before paying over £20 for four hours and taking a walk around Edinburgh Castle.

Despite having confirmation of his payment from the parking app Ring Go, he returned within the timeframe he paid for only to find a penalty notice under his window wiper.

READ MORE: Scottish 'real-life Baby Reindeer' goes head to head with Piers Morgan in TV clash

READ MORE: Edinburgh emergency services respond to man who 'barricaded himself in loft'

Furious at receiving the fine, Alan went online to submit a form with proof that he paid for parking and returned within the allotted time - only to be asked once again to send his details to the council manually.

However, it is understood Alan mistakenly entered a zero rather than an 'O' while typing in his number plate as the council said the fine was correctly issued, although it is likely Alan will get let off without having to pay once all the correct details is submitted to them.

Speaking to Edinburgh Live, co-founder of Together Association Alan branded the situation as "infuriating" after being unaware of the blunder. He commented: "I sent back a response on their website with proof and evidence that I paid including the purchase, receipt, photo of the place and the ticket on the car.

"They then came back with an email saying I was parked at the wrong place and I can't respond to their email. So I now have to print off the pages and send it manually which will take more time. I paid £23 to park - the whole thing is crazy.

"Now they've got me on a runaround as I only have a certain number of days to pay before it doubles, it's nuts. Why has the council become so obsessed with cars and fines at the expense and services?"

"Edinburgh is such a brilliant city and there are a lot of tourist but when things like this go on it's not a great advertisement because people will get upset and you have to ask what the focus is.

"It's just infuriating because it takes up so much time and you can't speak to anyone."

Taking to X to share what had happened while in the capital, Alan posted proof of purchase, a picture of the parking meter and the car with the penalty notice.

Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

"I was in Edinburgh for a few days and we did a little trip across Scotland cold water swimming in some lochs and hiking. I love Edinburgh and sometimes visit during the festival," Alan continued.

"I was looking for signs but this is what you do, you end up going around in circles looking everywhere second guessing, it's a little mad. It's not even cheap to park that's the other thing."

It is understood the parking attendant correctly issued the fine as the vehicle's registration and the one on the parking app did not match up. The appeal that was then submitted to the team reportedly did not include any photographic evidence so more details were requested in order to cancel the fine.

Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox

Cllr Scott Arthur, Transport Convener, said: “There is a well-established statutory appeals process in place for which parking ticket appeals are considered.”