An 81-year-old grandmother faces a £270 parking fine despite faulty ticket machines preventing payment at a Stratford-upon-Avon car park.
The Incident
Krystyna Allen parked her vehicle for just 11 minutes on July 17 last year in a Warwickshire car park. She attempted to pay using both cash and card multiple times, but the machines malfunctioned. Two passersby confirmed the issue by testing their own cards.
Following their advice, Mrs Allen relocated her car across the road to the Arts House car park to unload food for a local church event. Less than two weeks later, she received a £100 penalty notice.
Escalating Dispute
Mrs Allen sent multiple letters to operator Smart Parking explaining the situation, but received only payment demands in response. The fine has since ballooned to £270, accompanied by threatening debt collection letters warning of court action.
“I went to pay and tried three or four times, with cash and card, but the machine wasn’t working,” Mrs Allen stated. “I didn’t have a mobile with me, I don’t use one. Two very kind gentlemen confirmed it wasn’t working by trying their own cards.”
The former primary school teacher, who has used the car park without issue for four or five years, refuses to pay. “I have written letter after letter, and have just got back more demands for payment,” she said. “I’ve received seven debt collector letters and they are now asking for £270, and threatening to take me to court.”
Personal Background
From Langley, Warwickshire, Mrs Allen pursues a history degree at the Open University, visits her husband of 39 years at an RAF care home in Solihull, and engages in book clubs, coffee mornings, and weekly storytelling sessions with children.
“I am a local person and I feel very aggrieved because I must have paid hundreds of pounds for that bloody car parking lot over the years,” she explained. “I will not be bullied into paying an outrageous car park fine when I am innocent. I will not give in to people like this.”
Of half-Polish heritage, Mrs Allen stands firm: “I’m not frightened or worried in any way. I have this aversion to being bullied or treated unfairly.”
Smart Parking has been approached for comment.
