Parking fines

Where contraventions of the parking regulations occur, the Community Officers Parking is required to issue an Excess Charge Notice. Enforcement of the regulations against the few who do contravene should ensure that the other users will enjoy trouble-free parking with reduced delays, congestion and inconvenience, e.g. disabled persons are able to use the convenient bays allocated for their use.

How much do I pay?
All the car parks are regularly patrolled and you will be required to pay a Excess Charge Notice if you fail to comply with the parking regulations as displayed on the notice boards in the car parks. The Excess Charges are shown on this page under Charges.

How do I pay my car park fine?
You can pay your car park fine in the following ways: - Online using the "
- by credit/debit card - telephone the Exchequers Unit on (01173) 841618
- in person - visit any of the Council’s Town Centre Offices with your payment and car park fine ticket
- by cheque - you should post your cheque to: Amber Valley Borough Council, PO Box 1, Town Hall, Market Place, Ripley, Derbyshire, DE5 3WZ. Please quote the ticket number on the back of the cheque and make it payable to Amber Valley Borough Council.
- by postal order. Send to: Amber Valley Borough Council, PO Box 1, Town Hall, Market Place, Ripley, Derbyshire, DE5 3WZ. Please quote the ticket number on the back of the postal order.

- On line using the Link provided

How do I appeal against my car park fine?
If you would like to appeal against your fine, you can do so in writing or you can download a copy of the Council’s appeal form which should be sent together with photocopies of any evidence in support of your appeal to the address below.

Following a full investigation of the facts you will receive a reply as soon as is possible. Please note that the discount period is put on hold whilst we deal with your appeal and should the Notice not be withdrawn your will be given a further 14 days to pay the fine at the lower amount.

Is it worth me appealing?
For your guidance, the following grounds of appeal are not generally considered valid.

1. I left the vehicle to get some change for the machine - the community officers parking allow a short period of time to enable change to be obtained although this time is at the absolute discretion of the Central Business Support Manager.
2. I received a ticket for a lower value than the money I inserted into the machine - the display window should always be checked before pressing the ticket issue button. If the display does not show that all the coins have been accepted, the reject button should be pressed and the coins reinserted. The machines may not accept copper, damaged, wet or greasy coins.
3. This is my first visit to the area and I didn't know I had to pay - Considerable care has been taken to ensure that each Pay & Display car park is clearly signed to provide users with details about the regulations and other useful information. Each car park has a large information board at the entrance and adequate signage throughout to indicate the regulations to users of the car park. In addition the car parking regulations are clearly shown on the front facia panel of each pay & display ticket machine.
4. I didn't know the charges had been increased - the current charges are displayed quite clearly on the facia of each pay & display machine.
5. I forgot to buy a ticket/I was late back because I didn't think I would be so long/I was delayed in the shop, bank, building society etc. - it is the individual's responsibility to ensure that they both purchase a ticket and return to their vehicle in time.
6. I was not parked wholly within a bay because:
- I parked in a bay another vehicle had just vacated
- I was late for an appointment and there were no other spaces available
- I was not causing an obstruction to other users or accesses
- The car next to me was taking up more than one parking bay
- There were no markings or signs to tell me I should not park there
- There were few other cars in the car park.
- it quite clearly states on the car park signage that vehicles should please park in marked bays only.

It is not the Council's wish to deter anyone who considers they have a justifiable grievance from appealing. If you consider that your circumstances are outside the few examples listed above would you kindly complete the appeal form as explained above.

Charges:

• Excess charge notices - Expired £40.00
  Pay and Display Tickets (Discounted to £15 if paid within 14 days)
• All other offences - £50 (Discounted to £25 if paid within 14 days)

Service Standards

Decisions on appeals will be made within 5 working days of receipt of appeal form and all supporting evidence.