A MAN says he was left “frustrated” after he parked his electric vehicle in a EV parking bay, only to come back and find a parking penalty notice.

Sean Pattinson, from Bruen Stapleford near Tarvin, had driven to the New Market car park in the centre of the city with his family on Tuesday night (September 24) and had parked in an electric charging bay but when he returned from a meal, he found a notice asking for him to pay a penalty fee of £35.

Sean said: “Obviously confused, I had a quick look around to see a notice behind my car that said electric charging point only. In smaller letters below saying only for electric cars plugged in.”

The 55-year-old says he had forgotten to plug in his vehicle as he had been chatting with his family as they left the car park but points out that the rest of the bays were still available for other users.

He appealed to Cheshire West and Chester Council, who said in an email:

“On this occasion we have considered the circumstances and considered exercising our discretion, however your informal challenge has been rejected as outlined in Part A below. Please do not respond directly to this letter as the legal process does allow you to dispute the matter further at a later stage described in Part B.”

Part A continues: “I have noted your comments, however the signage in the area is clear. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensue they check for signs and adhere to any restrictions in place, before leaving the vehicle parked. If this is not possible, then alternative parking needs to be found where it is legal and safe to do so.

“I have noted your comment that the other bays with this restriction were empty when you returned to the vehicle however this does not invalidate this charge.

“As the vehicle was observed in a bay with the restriction of electric vehicles being on charge while in use, then the PCN was correctly issued. Therefore, in order to remain fair and consistent with our decision making, we are unable to cancel this charge.”

Sean said: “I was fully expecting them to say don’t worry about it, but don’t do it again, but to have no flexibility whatsoever, when we’ve made the effort to go into Chester and spend money there, to have punitive PCNs, I was really quite frustrated.

“The text on the notice [for charging] gets smaller and smaller as the rules come in. As an electric car driver, I’ve parked in bays all over the place and sometimes I have charged and other times I haven’t, but I’ve never had a ticket.

“If I’d have gotten back to the car and there’d be a queue of vehicles wanting to charge, I’d have gotten the point and understood why they’re doing it, but this seems purely like it’s an income generator.”

A spokesperson for Cheshire West and Chester Council said: "The recipient of the penalty is entitled to follow the legal appeal process which is detailed on the notice itself.

"This allows two appeals to the council and then an independent adjudicator if unsuccessful.

"We can’t comment on individual cases."