A SOUTHAMPTON man has been taken to court over an unpaid parking fine.

Steve Webb, 61, owner of Tuk Shop in Southampton, a company that modifies and sells Tuk Tuk's, was issued with a parking ticket in November last year after he’d parked his car in Stoneham Lane Football Complex in Eastleigh, to watch his 14-year-old daughter Hetti play football.

Having refused to pay the £160 fine, Mr Webb has been taken to court by Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd (DCBL) – the private company who issued the fine.

The fine was issued because he was not parked in a marked bay - but he said he was not obstructing anyone else and there are not enough spaces on match days.

Mr Webb told the Echo: “It’s deceiving, I can’t believe it really. I’ve been using the car park for a couple of years, and it was completely unexpected.

“It was wonderful when my daughter said she wanted to play football, because it would be easy to sit inside and play video games all day, so it was great when started playing football, as it’s been a great environment for her to be active and make new friends.

“The car park I’ve been using is used by all the parents and even the referees and officials on matchdays, everybody uses it.

“It’s an overflow car park in the football complex. It gets busy on matchdays and crucially there aren’t enough designated spaces for everyone, so often people are forced to park elsewhere on the tarmac or even on the grass.”

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Mr Webb continued: “Then one day out of the blue I received a parking ticket for £160, which is no small figure. It’s not a pay and display car park, but I’ve since found out there’s a sign on a lamppost and if you read the small print, it states if you don’t park in a designated bay, you can be fined.

“I don’t think it’s right given the cost-of-living crisis – where sums of money like that would be better served going towards heating bills. Other families have been fined, some of them are grandparents taking their grandchildren to play football, and they’re being punished.

“Fair enough if it’s in the city centre and you park on double yellow lines or you obstruct someone, but in this case, nobody is harming anyone and there is simply nowhere else to park. I appreciate traffic wardens have a job to do but this is a private company that is taking money from people.

“As I’ve refused to pay the fine the matter has gone to court and if I lose the appeal, I’ll be forced to pay £250.

“The whole thing seems very harsh, it’s like everyday somebody wants money off you and it’s completely wrong.”

In a letter to Mr Webb, DCBL wrote: “You have an unpaid parking charge and DCBL have been instructed to collect the outstanding balance.

“As the balance is still outstanding, we have now referred the matter to our client to review commencing legal action.

“If a claim is issued against you, further fees and costs may be incurred, and these will be added to the balance that you owe. Thereafter, non-payment of the claim amount may result in County Court action being taken.”

The Echo has approached DCBL for comment.