'An overstay is an overstay' - backlash against £100 parking charge complaint at Harlyn Bay car park

CornwallLive readers have been responding to a motorist who complained after receiving a £100 parking fine for overstaying at a popular beach carpark - and many put the boot in and didn't hold back. David Lester, a long-time Cornwall visitor, claims private parking businesses are "mugging" people after he was fined for overstaying his parking time at Harlyn Bay, by 14 minutes.

"They mug everyone and get away with it like it's a tourism tax," the pensioner said, adding that he "feels sorry" for people who have to pay the parking charges. Readers have been having their say in our comments section on the original story.

Even though Mr Lester was directly responsible for overstaying and breaching the parking terms contract and then having further stayed beyond its extended "grace period", he was still disgusted with the firm. His subsequent appeal to Alliance Parking resulted in a lesser settlement demand of £60. The parking company pointed out that: "had the driver felt that the terms of the contract were unacceptable, they had the option to seek alternative parking."

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Commenter EggSlam writes: “So he got fined for going over his time. I think we all know the answer to this.! Paddy agrees: “He admits being 14 minutes over so he was fined! If he'd been 14 MPH over the speed limit he'd have been fined!”

ROYBLACK48 had a better experience at the carpark: “I have just returned from a week using Harlyn Bay car park to give the dog a run there. Paid each visit 1 pound for 30 minutes, and made sure I left before the expiry time.”

chuffingr8 points out: “Here we go again. Someone who can't read signs, or tell the time properly, now wants his 15 minutes of fame so he can complain about being fined. If you overstay you need to deal with the consequences.”

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Kernowmaid67 says: “Not a fan of these parking companies, but also not a fan of self-entitled people who think the simple rule of non-overstaying their paid for parking period doesn't apply to them.” minesapasty agrees and points out: “If you were 17 minutes late for boarding a cruise liner or an aeroplane, you would have lost your holiday or the price of replacement tickets to get home. A lot more money than a parking ticket.” max2013 thinks: “An overstay is an overstay, don’t know what people don’t understand about it!”

ukboy763 writes: I have sympathy with people who are conned - but this guy wasn't, he overstayed, if he didn't like the cost of the car park no-one forced him to use it.

Happydaz has the final word: ”The moral of the story is make sure you are back on time before your ticket runs out...simples.”

Do you feel the parking charges are fair? Have your say in our comments section below.