Student hit with £170 fine for parking at Wiltshire College

Michelle Gray says the college should not be imposing £100 parking charge notices on students who are trying to gain further and higher education qualifications to better themselves.

Wiltshire College & University Centre Trowbridge campus parking notice. Photo: Trevor Porter 69620-2 (Image: Trevor Porter)

The Swindon mum hit out after her son Joshua, 18, was hit with a £170 bill by bailiffs after an unsuccessful appeal to get the PCN rescinded.

The PCN can be reduced to £60 if paid within a specified number of days but Mr Gray decided to appeal.

He then received a letter on February 1 from Direct Collection Bailiffs, acting for Parking Eye, demanding the £170 and threatening court action if he does not pay.

Mrs Gray, of Coleview in Swindon, said: “I am appalled by Trowbridge College letting parking enforcers Parking Eye ask children for money regarding parking fines when they are in education.

“My son has to travel from Swindon to Trowbridge by car. He parks at the college car park and registered his car number plate in September.

“Even though he registered his car he is still receiving intermittent parking fines for £100 when he parks.

“We’ve appealed before, but this time they never came back to us, we received only a Bailiff’s letter asking for £170.

“My son can’t afford that and it’s wrong he is being put in this position when only trying to better himself. More children are in the same boat at his college, it’s wrong.

“These are their first steps into a new life, they shouldn’t be punished for trying to learn.

Wiltshire College & University Centre Trowbridge campus parking notice. Photo: Trevor Porter 69620-3 (Image: Trevor Porter)

“I offered a pound a week payment plan, but they said it’s unacceptable as Parking Eye want all payments made in 12 months. They don’t care for situations.

“They are punishing my son because he was in it for six hours-plus, the length of his college course. So, they will be now taking him to court, which is outrageous.

“He’s 18 and trying to make something of himself.  Something should be done about it. People should be made aware.”

A College spokesperson said: “We are sorry to hear that one of our students has received a fine from Parking Eye for parking at our Trowbridge campus.

“Now that we are aware of the situation, we are working with Parking Eye to resolve the issue for the student concerned.”