Excess Charge Notices

To ensure motorists use the parking facilities correctly, all of our car parks and resident parking bays are regularly patrolled by Officers, who can issue Excess Charge Notices (currently £50) for a number offences which include:

• Not displaying a valid pay and display ticket
• Displaying an expired ticket
• Parking outside a marked bay
• Parking in a disabled bay without a valid badge/clock
• Parked without a valid permit

Some general statistics :

• Of the 1,375,000 vehicles parked on the City Council car parks in 2003/2004, only 5384 (0.4%) were issued with an Excess Charge Notice.
• Of these Notices issued, 2097 drivers appealed against them and 1392 (66%) were accepted and cancelled.

What to do if you receive a notice...

The most important thing is not to worry if you do receive a Notice. We are always happy to discuss cases and give advice, and our administration team are available Monday to Friday 8.30am - 4.45pm.

If you wish to dispute the Notice, then all appeals must be made in writing to the Parking Services Office. Please enclose the Notice and any evidence to support your case (such as your pay and display ticket) with your letter.

Each appeal is considered on its merits, and although there are guidelines, we do not work to a set criteria.

The first letter appealing against a notice is considered by a member of the parking services support team. Using the guidelines and after taking into account any supporting evidence, they will make a decision to cancel or proceed with the notice. If the driver is not happy with this decision, he/she may appeal again, and this second letter is personally considered by the office manager.

Any third and final appeals are dealt with by the Parking Services Manager.

The appeals procedure does not fall within the Council's complaints policy.

You can appeal against a parking fine using the Parking Fine Appeal Form 

Payments

Excess charge notices can be paid in a number of ways:

• By credit/debit card, please call 01244 402633, Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.45pm
• By post, please make cheques and postal order's payable to Chester City Council. Do not send cash by post.
• In person at the Council Offices, The Forum, Chester - Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.45pm

How to contact us

Chester City Council
Parking Services
PO Box 1442
Chester
CH1 2WY

Telephone:01244 402633
Fax :01244 343503
E-mail : carparks@chester.gov.uk.