FINDING the Knutsford cinema car park full one evening recently, I decided to park across the road in the car park in front of the old Sessions Court on Toft Road.

There were a lot of cars already parked there, but there was a space free next to the entrance.

I haven’t used this car park for years, and it has always been free for public use in the evenings, so imagine my surprise and horror to find a parking fine stuck to my windscreen for £100.

I was unaware of the new pay and display restrictions, as there are no clearly visible signs stating this change, in the car park at night, otherwise I would have happily paid for a ticket!

Even the parking meter is unlit, and was completely obscured by other parked cars, so went unnoticed.

But what is really galling, is the fact that the fine was issued within a few minutes of parking which means that the parking attendant must have watched me park, and not pointed out the need to purchase a ticket.

I wrote a letter of appeal, enclosing a photo of the ‘invisible’ parking meter and lack of visible signage, along with a cheque for the reduced amount of £60 (for prompt payment) in case my appeal was unsuccessful.

I am still awaiting a response from TSP, although I suspect I was unsuccessful as my cheque has been cashed already.

I wonder if the signage will be improved as a result of my letter?

I won’t hold my breath.

Carolyn Jones

Knutsford