Short stay car parking

Initial problem

"Pick up and drop off" car parking allows for 40 minute stays at Brighton. This is usually plenty, but if there are severe delays, can result in people collecting passengers from an incoming train staying beyond the allowed time.

The car park staff don't show any leniency or flexibility in these situations, and will still fine anyone overstaying. Bear in mind that there is a 'no return within two hours' rule, so it's not like someone could arrive, find out their friend's train is delayed, go away and legitimately come back later. There are also many situations where the extent of the delay isn't known at the start. E.g. a train can be shown as delayed by 10 minutes... which 10 minutes later gets extended to 20 minutes... etc, etc. (Also understandable where a situation is unfolding in real-time.)

I get it that the car parks are run privately, but if the rail company owns the land can't they can bring some common sense into the lease contracts when they are renewed and allow for the usual restrictions to be suspended or at least extended on the rare occasions when services are severely disrupted?

Posted

• By Julia Harrison on 30 Aug 2011
• Sent to Southern on 30 Aug 2011