Last week, I blogged about my trip to Birmingham to see Feeder / The Renegades. I met my business partner, Matt Hannah at Tamworth Services on the M42 where we agreed to leave one car and just take mine into Birmingham city centre.
Easy instructions to take your cash...
The services have a policy of only allowing free parking for 2 hours – which is fair enough. We were likely to be longer so opted to pay the charge (a slightly outrageous £8…)
You are warned that your number plate had been taken on the ANPR system. The parking is operated by CP Plus – who I have had a run in with before! They have a reputation!
The method of payment is a mobile phone call to an 0303 number.
It took two attempts – entering credit card numbers and Matt’s number plate a single digit at a time. We even called the helpline when we were having problems. They weren’t there unfortunately – gone home for calls, but still able to take your money – or no doubt fine you for their shortcomings.
I am not sure if the intention here is to stop you parking for more than two hours? If so, why not just say so. I blogged before about making visitors welcome – and on that occasion I gave up!
It is slightly different here, but we hardly felt welcome. Nor did the technology make the job easier. I guess that a ticket machine needs emptying – whereas the remote automated calling system is just a nice clean, easy way of making cash! Really, this was the worst of all experiences!
It also seems that these car parks might be breaking DDA laws…
In future I will avoid Tamworth services – and they lose out. I won’t spend money on drinks / snacks.
