Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hello,

I received a penalty charge notice from Glasgow City Council last week (PCN no. PG19019933). I was charging my electric vehicle in Kelvingrove Park (see location link below) but hadn't paid for parking. I have always thought the signage at the chargers in Glasgow is unclear - it has stock stickers of 'There is a tariff in force for using this charge place' as well as 'Parking fees may also apply' on the charger (see photo below) but there is never any further signage in the car park indicating if the EV charging spaces require an additional parking charge on top of using the charger. Has anyone experienced getting a PCN this way before? Any grounds to appeal?

I've been charging like this for nearly 2 years around Glasgow. Probably my luck has run out, but thought I'd ask anyway. Bizarre policy if it is the case - not many folk are going to pay to park AND charge....

Thanks!

Photo of charger signage:

https://imgur.com/a/NmQHAy2

Location:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@55.8685145,-4.2891771,3a,90y,73.73h,84.8t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sCIHM0ogKEICAgICvkq2nMA!2e10!3e11!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgpms-cs-s%2FAB8u6HaWOQMWyOCDhUvtj7QHNMJflXYPJFs5s8XvBDwsh9SmofyijjUgapBkqrJJthKsWT68Xv-eEzkuixEQi4I6zurcrH7g-1q0q_ZBEugDXhLgmIESnm6_hM37unlm5SU13EVutXsv%3Dw900-h600-k-no-pi5.195002762624014-ya118.07864008548609-ro0-fo100!7i5760!8i2880?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDUyMS4wIKXMDSoJLDEwMjExNDUzSAFQAw%3D%3D

Thanks for your advice. One could reasonably argue that the 'payment machine', as stated on the board you show in google maps, is the charging station. Also, for 'Charges apply at all times' this could be seen as covered by the charge for charging the car.

Frankly, you will have to face the fact that councils and other car park operators increasingly do charge parking fees for EV bays unless they have an agreement with the charger company for a payment for use of the bays.

Yes I guess I will have to, but I still think it's bizarre. They may get £50 out of me now but I won't be using their chargers again and I will be putting a note on the charger saying you may get a PCN here. So they just lose two parking spots for very little benefit (apart from them boasting about their green credentials).

Glasgow does have the below info but I'd say the terms board needs to make it clear as this is an off-street car park.

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Do I need to pay for parking when I am charging my car? Hide
Where there are parking fees at locations these also apply to Electric Vehicles.

In 2011, we installed the first charge points, they were free to use and remained so until 2016. However, we found that users abused this amenity by staying in bays all day. Introducing parking charges was the only mechanism we had to enforce these spaces. However, we only do so in line with existing restrictions. Parking charges are in force in onstreet bays and car parks.

Our public EV Charging infrastructure has been located at existing parking bays. Many of these bays have Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) in place.  These apply 24 hours a day and restrictions will be enforced by Parking Attendants and, if necessary, the issuing of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).

Where there are parking fees at these locations these also apply to Electric Vehicles.

Information on Council car parks can be found on our parking webpage.

Drivers should always look for signage at charge points to be sure which restrictions apply to each location.