An 81-year-old grandmother has been slapped with a £270 fine after defective payment machines left her unable to pay for parking in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. Krystyna Allen, a former primary school teacher, parked her vehicle in the car park for just 11 minutes on July 17 last year before moving it because the pay machines were not functioning properly.
Repeated Attempts to Pay Prove Futile
Mrs Allen recounted that she tried three or four times to pay using both cash and card, but the machine failed to work on each occasion. Two other gentlemen at the scene confirmed the malfunction by attempting to use their own cards. With time ticking away, they advised her to move her car to avoid a potential fine.
Escalating Demands and Threats
Less than two weeks later, Mrs Allen received a £100 fine in the mail, which has since ballooned to £270. She claims to have written numerous letters to Smart Parking, the site's operator, but has only received further payment demands in response. The situation has escalated with the pensioner now receiving what she describes as 'threatening' letters from debt collectors warning of court proceedings.
'I have written letter after letter, and have just got back more demands for payment,' she stated. 'I've received seven debt collector letters and they are now asking for £270, and threatening to take me to court. My daughter is worried bailiffs will break in.'
A History of Compliance and Current Frustration
Mrs Allen, who has been using the car park without issue for four or five years, expressed her frustration at being penalized despite her history of compliance. 'I am a local person and I feel very aggrieved because I must have paid hundreds of pounds for that bloody car parking lot over the years because I would never dream of going without paying. At my age, why would I?' she said.
Refusal to Be Bullied
The grandmother, who is of Polish descent, has vowed not to be intimidated into paying what she considers an unjust fine. 'I will not be bullied into paying an outrageous car park fine when I am innocent. I will not give in to people like this. Lots of people just sort of cave in, don't they?' she asserted, adding that she has an aversion to being treated unfairly.
Active Lifestyle and Family Concerns
Despite the stress of the parking fine dispute, Mrs Allen maintains a busy lifestyle. She is currently pursuing a history degree at the Open University, regularly visits her husband of 39 years at an RAF care home in Solihull, participates in book clubs and coffee mornings, and has started storytelling with children once a week.
'Besides, I'm busy, I haven't got time for this,' she remarked. 'I'm not frightened or worried in any way. Although that means that my poor family nearly tear their hair out trying to keep me out of trouble.'
The Daily Mail has contacted Smart Parking for comment regarding the incident.
