Given the debate regarding Grymsdyke car park, which I have just read online in the Harrow Times, I wondered if you may be interested in my experience and the following letter I shall send to Harrow Borough Council challenging a penalty charge.

This morning I made the journey from my home in Ruislip to Hatch End in order to spend my hard-earned pennies having my hair done in a salon in the Uxbridge Road — a treat for me as I had not been for such a long time.

I entered Grimsdyke car park by means of Woodridings Road and Leeway Close as I have done for the past 16 years. Oh how I love that car park — it’s free — or so I thought... Imagine my surprise when I returned to find a parking ticket slapped across my windscreen.

I was not in a hurry when I parked and I do not walk around with my eyes closed.

In fact, I initially parked under a concrete sheltered area and saw a scrappy A4-sized note stuck up on the wall regarding reports of fluid leaking from the building onto cars, so I moved my car into an unsheltered area facing the school.

I then walked to Uxbridge Road by means of the alleyway between the shops at the Leeway Close end of the car park.

At no time did I see any signs indicating that this was now a pay-and-display car park.

Neither did I see a pay machine with ‘Pay Here’ and charges clearly listed as I walked from my car to Uxbridge Road.

The car park was fairly empty at the time, but had there been other people walking to and from their cars to the machine (which upon my return I saw was at the other end of the car park with a crowd of confused shoppers surrounding it), I imagine it would have clicked.

I am afraid I did not stick around long enough to do a tour of said car park to see whether there was another machine because I was so fed up.

If there is only one machine, would it not be better to site it more centrally within the car park? The fact is, I was not expecting to pay as I have not done so for the past 16 years. I live in the neighbouring borough and was unaware of the changes, so it really was a shock when I returned to my car to see the fine.

Finally, I was in the hairdressers for over a couple of hours — I did not just nip to the shops for ten minutes — so would I really have risked getting a parking ticket for a potential £60 in order not to pay around £1?

My question to the council is — is this a fair cop — or can you see my point of view?

Angela Heath

via email