Will Lamorna ruin your holiday? Car Park Scam?

Unfortunately there are an increasing number of car parks in Cornwall being managed by remote, faceless parking companies. Gone are the days when a smiling face in a small wooden shed would greet you as you came to spend a joyful afternoon at a beauty spot. Now, you are more likely to be photographed, unwittingly, by an automated number plate recognition, (ANPR) camera, that is so well hidden that you could be forgiven for not even realising it is on site.
One such beauty spot is Lamorna Cove in Cornwall. Once the haunt of artists and bohemians with no cares in the world, it is now a hot spot for a 'car park scam'. A few minutes on Trip Advisor will confirm this. You will find lots of people have been caught out at this Cove facing £100 or even £170 fines.
In this video we take a look at the comments, visit the Cove and work out what exactly is the scam.
Please feel free to add your comments to this video.
Enjoy!
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We are Sarah and Andrew and we film our walks around Cornwall and publish on KZbin, usually weekly. Sometimes we stay in accommodation in Cornwall and upload our vlog. Sarah is fascinated by sea glass and likes to collect it so there may be the occasional sea glass video too. The channel is a hobby and we both have normal day jobs!
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[@kevinjackson7340]

Boycott the place, spread the word. Once the cafe is making a loss, they`ll soon ditch the car parking scam.

[@st200ol]

A bit extreme perhaps. The cafe even give change if asked. They are just trying to make a living in these difficult times.

[@stephendimond578]

Don't forget the cameras are mounted on the cafés wall - so they must be complicit in the scheme, or at least be receiving some financial payment from the parking scammers.

[@dudmanjohn]

I doubt the café is owned by the land owner.

[@alanbbrady8196]

​@@st200ol Not "difficult" for the rip off merchants eh ?

[@gilbert7794]

My biggest grip is that the DVLA are selling my personal data

[@lizroberts1569]

@@solariss452 so much for GDPR!

[@thelastpilot4582]

If I was in Cornwall that is one place I would give a miss. That parking system borders on dishonesty, a scam.

[@mikeoglen6848]

This whole Car Park Industry is outrageous! Why are we putting up with it? Who gave them the right to photograph us? Who gave them access to DVLA records?

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

I agree. For some reason I thought DVLA was allowed to release your details for a public highway offence, but does that include a private parking rule break? If I released patient medical records, I would be sacked, no question! Sarah :)

[@gregb49]

It is their main business model. They want you to get it wrong so they can give you that £100 fine. It is country wide and is a disgraceful scam. I've been caught twice, won once, lost the other. Big business wins today, The little person is just there to be milked.

[@DeanVRS20VT]

Anyone can request DVLA details as long as you have a reasonable cause to do so. Hence why companies can request it in order to send you a fine. As for the car park, while I hate it… Most people can’t be bothered to read signs. I always do. As stated on that sign, you have 10 minutes to agree to its terms, and that’s the same with all car parks. You have that right to drive around and read the sign and then choose to whether to agree to their terms. If not, you leave. Int his case and this car park, I think 10 mins is ok.

[@das5813]

The evil thatcher gave them everything and took away your right to a trial. So blame the bloody tories.

[@juliecoppin4165]

For every parking ticket, speed ticket the companies contact DVLA as they only have your registration number. The DVLA then sell your personal details for £2.50/3.00 for every ticket

[@mythimnaferrago3481]

Chuck away all the mechanical collecting machines and bring back the human man in the little caddy shed !

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Yay! Start a petition!!! 😂🤣😂 Sarah :)

[@griswald7156]

They’ve still got a shed with an attendant in the village of Goatland in Yorkshire…

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

cameras are cheaper and more reliable unfortunately

[@theolddog5129]

Yay! then all the motorists who don't like paying can throw verbal abuse at the human in the little caddy shed. Cameras don't suffer lifetime emotional injuries from abusive motorists.

[@mythimnaferrago3481]

@@CornishWalkingTrails Game on!

[@richarddavies233]

It's called biting the hand that feeds you. Hopefully enough people will get to realise what crooks these people are and stop visiting, but fear that won'''t happen. I have been visiting Cornwall for many years, and love it, but like everywhere else in this country now, the bandits are everwhere, spoiling it for the people who actually work hard for their money.

[@gilldanier4129]

Cameras now are everywhere. Greed is everywhere. The truth is, there are no longer fun places because of greed. Run down areas because of corruption in what used to be the beauty spots of England. Our system is riddled now with the disease of the nmind, there is no heart left, it's all gone.

[@martinwebb1681]

Very true. Greed has ruined everything. Its all take, take, take. Its a f*ck you john, I'm okay society.

[@PodgyAsthmatic]

Since Co Vid, I've noticed a huge rise in hatred for tourists. Here in Pembrokeshire it's vile. "Karen's" everywhere with home made No parking signs and home made no overnight parking signs popping up everywhere, any reasonable space where your legally allowed to park is likely to receive one of these signs. Many many bollards on normal, free, open PUBLIC roads stopping parking (Dale and St Davids)I've decided to take matters into my own hands and remove them myself.

[@frglee]

Many of them dislike locals and visitors parking outside their houses equally. The house owners may not even have a car, it's just that they don't want anyone parking on the road outside their house. If there are no parking restrictions, cones and warning signs should not be there. Harrassing, threatening and abusing people parking legally on a public road should be reported to the police. The police and local authorities should stamp out this nonsense.

[@huudielbo728]

Councils & Farmers are now blocking access points due to fields & public lands being ruined by 'new age travellers'. Same old problem, overcrowding.

[@robglysen]

We got absolutely swamped in Covid with idiots visiting a quarry full of lime it was horrible, wifes arm got broke in an accident with one of them, couldnt leave the house it was awful for months, this is whats caused it all.

[@Thursdaym2]

What applies to visitors also applies to us locals.

[@WhiteDieselShed]

@@Thursdaym2 Absolutely, local LIDL's planning permission stated they must allow local shoppers to park there and cannot restrict parking to less than 4 hours. No issues at first. Then they got a parking firm in which put signs up stating LIDL shoppers only and a max stay of 2 hours. After a few got tickets because the parking appeared to start the moment the camera caught you not when you were actually in the car park or actually parked. They found no alternate planning application to the parking terms and a thread to blockade the store if the signs remained soon got them removed. Its like those camera's catching you on the road into the parking area and the clock is ticking already, driving down slowly giving way to pedestrians maybe your downfall and these companies don't care if your 1 minute over its a charge all the same.

[@stevethorn7634]

I've lived in Cornwall pretty much all of my life. The sad part is not only are tourists constantly ripped off but locals are too. There use to be plenty of places where you could park for free or park up and walk. Unfortunately those days are long gone and it isn't just private landlords ripping the public off but the council are in on it too. Now roads either have double yellow lines, residents parking or very limited waiting times. This effectively forces you into using their parking facilities or you have to stay away. What adds to the stress is a majority of coin machines are cashless so you are then limited to your phone or card. If the tec isnt working try contacting the parking company along with the ten or so other customers trying to do the same standing in the car park after the camaras scanned your car registration on the way in. Oh and guess what, a small service charge is then added to your parking fee on council parking facilities if you use your card. I didnt realise this until it was highlighted on radio Cornwall last week.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Well said! St Ives, Looe, Fowey all full of yellow lines, resident only parking eliminating the ability to park and walk. I know exactly where you are coming from! Sarah :)

[@nd7941]

There are a lot of car parks around Cornwall that aren’t heavily vetted in the evenings. But these ANPR ones that run 24/7 are there for pure greed. They now have ANPR at the short stay in Marazion

[@dragonflyparade8143]

Well, people have sat and let them do this for decades. Privately owned road? Privately owned cove? # all the way off with them.

[@73driver10135]

The thing to is stop going down there

[@dragonflyparade8143]

@@73driver10135 Absolutely. Take the money from them. That hurts most.

[@blackbob3358]

NAME AND SHAME THE INDIVIDUAL/S SCUM WHO ACTUALLY OWN THAT FIRM !!

[@coastalviews4931]

And forward to "Just Stop Oil" please

[@shm5547]

Whilst there may be no mobile phone signal, you can definitely get broadband there (I've checked!). So they could take contactless payments by getting a line run to the payment meters. I wonder how they collect the ANPR data? Do you think someone has to physically visit the site to retrieve it? Or more likely the cameras are connected to the internet. Certainly seems very scammy.

[@WhiskyJackR]

I always enjoy swinging by Lamorna on my Harley early in the morning to catch the start of the day. Glad I watched your video as now I'll have to cross it off my list. Shame the new owners have decided on such an aggressive approach to parking. There should be clear signage at the top of the road where you turn in so at least you have the opportunity to abort should you not have any coins. I run a business on the Lizard and virtually nobody carries coins let alone notes. It's almost like they've designed the perfect mouse trap 😆

[@richardfisher7248]

Possibly OK on a bike, no front number plate.

[@Sidchasingclassiccars]

Yep, I got caught too and I'm local 3 miles away! I went there mid winter, not a soul there. The cafe was covered in cobwebs and the one machine looked out of commission as the screen was all clouded over and unreadable. I was only there 10 to 15 minutes to take a few snaps and 2 days later a nice photograph of my number plate and a demand for £100 arrived in the post. I was told if I paid up within 7 days that I would only have to pay £60 for the "pleasure" of those 10 to 15 minutes! 😠

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

I am sorry to hear that! Always feels rubbish, but when you don’t remember enjoying your visit, that’s even worse! Sarah :(

[@TravellingTorunn]

I find the prices to be OK, but they should have put up a sign about coins only, before you enter the parking lot and before you can be caught on camera.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Yes, A little more transparency would show better customer service! Sarah :)

[@dinsdalepiranah1189]

@@CornishWalkingTrails Sadly customer service is something this country is very bad at, in most cases its non existent.

[@donkeykong7777]

I’ve found over the years that a small roll of black tape can be extremely useful in situations like this, a similar width to the digits on your vehicle’s plates is ideal 🙄

[@antman5474]

That's right, if the camera doesn't see a registration plate it remains in standby mode. It's not a motion detector.

[@donkeykong7777]

@Paul B As far as I’m aware, even though it’s “private land” if it’s accessible to the public in motor vehicles then the rules of the road still apply. It’s like a Tesco car park, if a copper getting his dinner sees you driving round it with a phone in your hand he can still prosecute you.. I could be wrong but that’s what I’ve always been led to believe.

[@kenredgate3690]

You can beat the system if you persevere . Yes , you are on private land and as such you are quite entitled to cover your number plate . However we overstayed in a Lidl car park and got the usual demand . As the car is registered to my wife and I was driving I asked them to send photographic evidence of who parked it there and to redirect the charge to them . On the second letter I returned it with a demand for £100 administration charge . On the sixth letter I was demanding £600 in admin charges and £500 in compensation for harrasment plus a statement saying I had no contract with them and if I did then they are sacked . It worked , they no longer write .

[@antman5474]

Just cover your plate on the way in and out and the algorithm doesn't know you exist, it's that simple.

[@antman5474]

Jeez how long will it be before you understand?

[@robertwillis9988]

So glad you are raising awareness of these rip off car parks in cornwall!!! Please,please,dont just show the 'good' of cornwall....show the 'reality' aswell. And this is from someone who loves cornwall

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Thank you!! Times are changing so maybe our videos need to as well! Sarah :)

[@JoannaLouise200]

Really good information & advice Sarah and Andrew! 10 mins is nowhere near sufficient time to sort out paying the car-park charge, and it's ridiculous to have a card facility on site if there's no internet signal to work it, especially as we are constantly pressured at most places to go 'cashless'. I wonder what would happen if motorists accidentally dropped beach towels over their number plates on the way down to the cove, and on the way back again. Of course I'm not suggesting anyone do this 🙂

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

😂 Sarah :)

[@antonrudenham3259]

Remove your plates before entering, it's private land.

[@shaunbradley5253]

Apparently there is someone with brains in this messed up world 😮😂😅😂

[@reggiesmith3866]

EXCELLENT IDEA!!

[@andyparsons4901]

You can actually buy covers for your plates that stop the anpr cameras from taking your reg. Bloody councils and private companies are using these car parks all over the country to sting us. time to fight back!!

[@barryhumphries4514]

Number plate covers should be a thing. Would work for imposed ULEZ scamming schemes too! 👀🤷‍♂️

[@christinecrockford1654]

Fab one ❤ or cover them up as u don't need them on a private road.

[@Brian-om2hh]

I felt Lamorna was a huge anti-climax. There's little of any great interest there. The parking charges today are a complete rip-off. Makes Dick Turnip look like a respectable businessman......

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

The colour of the water is pretty and there are some great walks, but I think it has strong competition! Sarah :)

[@coastalviews4931]

IMPORTANT NOTICE Under English Law (Even in Cornwall) it is a mandatory requirement to display front and rear licence number plates on all motor vehicles whilst in use on any public highway. This is NOT a public highway. Parking charge - Up to £ 170.00 : Screwdriver £ 2.95, you do the math! (Note: While a little more tricky, and expensive for 'them', your vehicle identity can be found from the VIN if it can be seen eg. through the windscreen. Only MI5 and the CIA have ANPR cameras that can read a VIN)

[@aylesburynumptydrivers9672]

I find a piece of rubbish that has accidentally blown up off the road and stuck to the number plate as you enter the car park is a terrible shame. Or if there happens to be a pedestrian walking just in front of the plate at the point the camera is

[@barbelmeister]

I think you will find you are wrong. Dont encourage people to take your poor advice and then get fined. It is private land but publicly accessible.

[@coastalviews4931]

@@barbelmeister 1. At no time has any encouragement taken place. It is still a free country, even in Cornwall. You make your own choices. And I have the right to free speech. 2. It is not a fine, it has no legal basis. It is a Penalty Charge and a purely civil matter. 3. This road is not maintained at the publics expense, and so not a public highway. 4. Whether open or closed, a gate or barrier defines this as not publicly accessible - I was informed there was a barrier.

[@apocalypticweasel9078]

i use magnetic plates that cover the original perfectly and only have the letter FU on them works everytime

[@markstarmer3677]

@@apocalypticweasel9078 that’s a cracking idea. I’ll look into this

[@sarac.3259]

I have been to Cornwall many times and Lamorna is particularly beautiful. We stayed with Ozzie at Lamorna Pottery many years ago. I understand that Cornwall is more and more crowded BUT but no excuse for this sort of scam. The notices need to be bigger and the camera more obvious. Surely it is a data protection issue? As long as people keep leaving one-star reviews then the bad publicity should help.

[@Si-mc9bb]

The car park owner use to fine people by running across the carpark and stick a parking ticket on the car as people were paying for their ticket at the machines. This carpark has been like this for years. The owner is a local man who just thinks about money. The owners house over looks the carpark aswell

[@raymondcox789]

Ironic. Putting off visitors and tourists isn't it. - the very thing Cornwall really needs to keep and encourage.

[@cathydyer3774]

Beautiful sea on a sunny day. Well done Sarah and Andrew. 👏👏Shame about the sly private parking company upsetting many people. Why are there no signs before the road down to the Cove warning people .... COINS NEEDED IN CAR PARK.. PRIVATE CAR PARK AND CAMERA OPERATING!

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Why indeed! The lack of fair signage is definitely noted in the Trip Advisor comments, Sarah :)

[@limitedmark]

Simple Stop going to Cornwall, the whole uk Southern coast is a scam experience.

[@steveray8056]

I am sad to say that as a tourist from Canada this is a good warning not to visit Lamorna, or any other place with that system of parking. As I would be in a rental vehicle, the charge for parking would go to the rental company who would then charge an administrative fee on top of the parking fee. I was burned once before and wont do that again. Too bad, as it looks like a lovely place to visit.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Oh my goodness! This is so unfair to the unwitting tourist. Unfortunately it more and more commonplace, Sarah :)

[@steveray8056]

@@CornishWalkingTrails yes, it is unfair but tourist need to be aware of this. If we could pay for parking in coins without having the camera, it wold make life easier. The reason we prefer coins?cash is that the fees to accès our phone is prohibitive - Canada has to have the worst (most costly) plans for phones and internet.

[@griswald7156]

Well Steve, What happens if you notice a dent on your rental car after having left the depot..? There’s always room to massage the numbers upwards…go into a bus lane,and watch your charges rise plus administrative charges. Technology has made it so much easier to separate you from your money…

[@steveray8056]

@@griswald7156 always do a complete circle check of the vehicle before I leave to ensure there are no dents or scratches. I also take pictures. If anything happens on the road, insurance there is to cover it. Yes, I agree, greed is out there and is becoming more and more common which is scary.

[@antman5474]

Just keep a stash of £1 coins in the car and pay upon arrival. And leave before your time runs out.

[@miranda4903]

It sounds very stressful parking at Lamorna Cove. I will certainly be avoiding it.

[@huwtgriffiths4448]

Na, cover your plates or put a bit of tape over some characters when you get on that private road... By law you have to show your reg number but not on a private road.

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

It is disgusting but it’s happening all over the country. Where we are there’s a place we park to surf which is private, my mate parked there all the time for about a year. One day he took his wife’s car but forgot so paid for his parking as usual on the App but obviously he was in a different car to what he’d stored. Yep got a £60 fine so he apologised and said honest mistake was in a different car and if you look at my history I pay. They weren’t interested at all and he had to pay. Just no sympathy at all. Well done for highlighting this daylight robbery.

[@martinjames9250]

The people that control this bit of land do not have a good reputation. On a number of levels. The sad fact though, is that many Cornish folk resent the visitor and his money, regardless of the fact that without that income much of the county would descend into extreme poverty. I've not found this to be the case in many other countries. In fact I can't even think of one.

[@marcom9103]

I've found many in North Wales who would rather live in Poverty over too many cars parked than enjoy tourist money. Funnily enough, the locals in the Yorkshire Dales / Lake District seem really friendly and accommodating of tourists (seems them guys, kind of get how poor they would be without them)

[@ukeleleEric]

Seems to be becoming more common in many tourist areas around the country... Rip-off Britain.

[@suerowlands1457]

Thank you so much for the heads up. A visit to Lamorna has been on my bucket list for a while but I may give it a miss now.

[@Daisy-tl2lh]

so much of our country seems off limits to greedy individuals ...

[@trac4967]

Praa Sands is the same, used to be £1 fr t whole day, as Lamorna used t be FREE, now the parking attendant is a real jar and Norman no longer sits in his deck chair at Praa to take yr £1. Infact we where fine for not paying when the machine were broken. The local have actually vandalised then int past. 🙃

[@holdfast7657]

My wife and I visited Cornwall from Australia. Our car hire company hit us with a carpark fine and a charge for dealing with the fine. A car park we'd driven into was full, so we drove straight out. Thus triggering a non parking payment even though we'd never parked.

[@DanCollinsPhotography]

This is great information, cheers Sarah & Andrew, we’ll bear this in mind if we visit Lamorna Cove

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

You’re welcome! Sarah :)

[@huwtgriffiths4448]

Cover your plates or put a bit of tape over some characters when you get on that private road... By law you have to show your reg number but not on a private road. Been doing it for years never paid or had a letter, even if you get a letter ignore... Years ago I had loads just ignored them now I just partially cover my plate.. And then when I get on a public road I remove.

[@9t8pete]

Visited here many times and no problem then 4 years ago my wife paid as we parked on the top car park. I got out of the car and opened the passenger door for my father in law who was disabled and had dementia and walked with him to the cafe to sit on the seat, went back to the car and noticed a ticket on the car and when I explained to the ticket man what I was doing he said I wasn't parked between the lines! Nobody was because you couldn't see them and you couldn't get out of the car either with the doors wide open. He literally watched me and put the ticket on, and we had already paid. Welcome to Cornwall. I have been visiting Cornwall every year since 1959, we know the deal, you have a beautiful piece of the world and we pay "ansomly me lovers" for the privilege of being there. But that takes the biscuit. In my mind I'm not letting one nasty person represent the whole of the people of Cornwall. See you in 2 weeks Penwith!

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

How heartless! Common decency should have prevailed. Enjoy your upcoming visit! Sarah :)

[@malcolmcoward7480]

Spent many many happy times back in the day, particularly when Garston manned the hut at entrance to car oark. He always had a tale to tell. Lovely time and place.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

I miss the days when a cheery crappy greeted you with a broad smile! Sarah :)

[@pjeaton58]

Cover your No. plates with duct tape or change them for your visit !

[@martinwebb1681]

Other makes of tape also available ... 🤣

[@judybee]

How things change. In my walking days we visited Lamorna and did the walk along the cliffs to Minack where Derek Tangye used to live and write all his wonderful books. The car park in those days was manned by a very amiable guy who held his hand out, you popped your money into it and away you went. Fast forward to 2023 with cameras watching you from every angle it is so sad to see how people are being targeted for profit. Even the cafe wasn't quite the same when we visited about 5 years ago! It can't take away the beauty of Lamorna Cove though. The sea there is a very special blue/green. The very steep hill to the cove was always a breath holding moment driving up and down hoping that you wouldn't meet another car on the way!! Look forward to seeing your walk there. Well done on highlighting the charging problems. x J x

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Things are definitely changing, our computer age is making us redundant! Sarah :)

[@huwtgriffiths4448]

Cover ur plates before you enter....👍🏻 You have to by law to show your number plates on public roads but not on private roads. I always cover my plates in private car parks, never pay them ever... Over 10 years, no one sits by a desk watching it's all automated and no one come around, they want you being good citizens to police each other and pay. 😂🤣

[@davesutton6499]

Do you need to display your registration on private land - I don't think you do so cover your plate before entry xx

[@ChrisChapman-v8m]

Sat there and did a picture of the harbour a few years ago and put it on my website. A couple of years later got stung by that scam while on holiday. We’ve since moved to Cornwall but we’ve never been back there. As far as I’m concerned the place doesn’t exist - neither does the picture.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

These things ruin memories! I’m so sorry for you, Sarah :)

[@wotintheworld]

Wierd philosophy you got there.

[@mattylf1]

Problem is as we move to a more cashless society with banks closing and cashpoints being removed, people have less access to cash. I guess if you're going on holiday make sure you have a big bag of £1 coins. I would also say it's not down to the cafe there to provide change, so a bit of a risk to park, queue and then find they have no change left leaving you with no method to pay.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

We felt that the landowner is taking advantage of the cafe as a ‘bank’ but the cafe needs visitors to stay, or they go out of business, tricky! Sarah :)

[@huwtgriffiths4448]

Na, cover your plates or put a bit of tape over some characters when you get on that private road... By law you have to show your reg number but not on a private road.

[@mattylf1]

@@CornishWalkingTrails absolutely, like many of these types of owners they have a captive audience with regards to visitors and a fine is easily picked up without knowing it’s happened.

[@martinwebb1681]

I always carry a large bag of coins in my car, for car parks, bridge tolls, air in the tyres, etc. Its just common sense, some people it seems just prefer to moan and complain about things rather than use a little common sense.

[@fificrossnails]

Many thanks for highlighting this issue, unfortunately it is way too common in our beautiful West Country. As I’m a keen walker on the SW Coast Path I am happy to park further away and walk, and if I don’t know the area I use street view where possible to see if there’s free parking nearby (although I’m hoping the Google street view car didn’t come here and get stung with a fine!!!) Expensive parking in this country seems to make sightseeing a pricey, stressful event; my in-laws have holiday homes in tourist areas in France (Normandy and the Dordogne), and the parking is so much more stress-free: most towns and villages we visit have a free car park in the centre, the beaches we visit have free parking right by the beach, the same applies in Tenerife where my dad lives…it’s very off putting to visitors in the UK to be caught by these scams, not everyone will have cash on them, some are unaware that ANPR exists in these rural areas, and the strict rules that landowners enforce to catch people out…keep up the good work!

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Yes, France is a lot more relaxed, and I love the free parking in the town square, which definitely helps the local bakers, butchers, cafes and gives a great vibe, they are so busy. They are planning to increase parking charges in Cornwall soon. Just hope the local councils don’t now to pressure from these companies. Sarah :)

[@Steviegtr52]

I dropped my Son at Leeds/ Bradford airport last week. Last year £3 for 10 mins. This year £6 for 10 mins & £12 for 20 mins. Ridiculous. I wonder if at some point you may be charged for walking in the bay.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Wow! That’s daylight robbery! Sarah :)

[@sguerreiroluis608]

Someone voto for this

[@martinwebb1681]

Dropping of at Easy Midlands airport its £5.00 for 15 minutes then £1.00 per minute thereafter ... daylight robbery.

[@liveloud9894]

If you’re dealing with private parking companies then any “ fines “ are actually invoices for breach of contract by cowboy scammers and not fines in the true sense of the word , if they issue such an invoice then refuse to pay it and invite them to take you to court to settle the matter, they’ll back down

[@davecooper3238]

The courts are used to processing these charges in batches. A County Court Judgement can knock bells out of your credit rating.

[@liveloud9894]

@@davecooper3238 It wouldn’t get that far

[@m0ther0ne]

You have the right to be present at any court hearing that you are involved with, so you would not be done in a’ batch’.

[@davecooper3238]

@@m0ther0ne True you can attend court if you wish. But for people that don’t batch processing is more cost effective.

[@richardbarbaraburns9868]

They do take you to court and you do end up with CCJS

[@grosvenorclub]

Another place to avoid when visiting the UK later in the year . England is the only place I seem to get obscure parking , road fines .

[@SqueekyBums]

Not sure you're obliged to display number plates on private land. A couple strips of insolation tape on the plates before entering/leaving 😋

[@huwtgriffiths4448]

I too cover my plates or put a bit of tape over some characters when you get on that private road... By law you have to show your reg number but not on a private road.

[@SqueekyBums]

@Bercilak de hautdesert I find it difficult to believe they can fine you for displaying differently or not at all on private land. Your driveway for example. Hence, 'show plates' are sold with the specific instruction 'not for use on public roads'. 🤔

[@huwtgriffiths4448]

@Bercilak de hautdesert hi, don t be afraid of the system... if ur going for a nice day with the family to these places before you go in just cover them... enjoy your day at the beach then when you leave way past the cameras before you get to the public road uncover. You will get pulled by the rozzers on public roads so there no point as they have anpr systems in their cars. Everyone is trying to make a buck these days, plus these places are always unmanned..... been doing it for years as I'm sick to death of these private car parks... also they cannot clamp or touch your vehicle as that is against the law. If you want to pay then carry on 👍🏻

[@huwtgriffiths4448]

@@SqueekyBums yep I agree bud...👍🏻been doing it for a long time covering plates.... but always remember when u get back on a public road show your plates 🤣

[@contactjd]

A strategically placed leaf and some double sided tape will do

[@Brock_273]

It's the same thing in Llangrannog in Wales. Absolutely beautiful place but we don't go there because of the same issues with a similar ( if not the same ) carparking company. We actually avoid it. Which is a huge shame for the local businesses x

[@TomRelubbus]

That car park has had a terrible reputation for years, and most locals (like me) avoid it like the plague!

[@bugsy742]

Cornwall has been getting worse year after year for the last 15 years, let’s be honest, Emmits come here and get rinsed! Seaside Business owners only ever pay their staff minimum wage, have no toilets for their staff, often no breaks or ridiculous split shifts, for any would be holiday makers reading this, come here but go self catering, if something looks “touristy” be on your guard for getting ripped off and please bear in mind most shop front people are paid poorly and are often on the receiving end of people’s frustrations 👍🤝

[@adrianpollard2763]

This is a bit of a storm in a teacup. The answer is simple. All parking regulations should be clearly displayed on a notice before you enter the car park. If they are not, then that penalty will never stand up in court if an appeal is lodged, providing the driver leaves the parking area immediately of course. I suspect that some people have parked there regardless of the fact that they cannot pay due to a lack of coins. What I would do is to appeal the fine immediately and let them prove it's legality in front of a magistrate. I have a sneaky feeling that the fine would be quashed.

[@contactjd]

Note the sign says "please leave within 10 mins". If you took 11 mins that does not make those terms enforceable. 3:00 no marked lines so impossible to park within a bay, which is in the contract. This wouldn't standup in court. They just prey on people's ignorance and harras them into paying !

[@F4Insight-uq6nt]

Ignore the threats and do not pay them.

[@daveandemmaoutdoors3171]

How can these cameras connect online to pass on your details if there is no internet ? Fair enough there is a charge if it’s private land but the owners look like they are creating an ideal situation to scam people . When you land at these places and not from area it will probably take you more than 10 mins to sort yourself out and go looking to pay only to find out cash is king after all lol . If digital currency comes and cash goes i am sure they will magically find a connection to the internet .

[@gabischmidt2753]

We had big problems with payment in Falmouth in February. We wanted to enjoy a cream tea on our last day of holiday and parked in the car park near the museum. But unfortunately we didn't check whether we could pay with coins. Our credit card is not accepted by the parking machine here. We called the hotline but no one answered the phone. We were very desperate because 10 years ago we also had problems with a fine of 100 pounds in Falmouth. Then a woman came and offered us help. Our saving angel. She paid our ticket with her card. I don't know what would have happend otherwise. Maybe a bill of 1000 pounds? That's why we are happy when we can still pay with coins. Which we always collect. It's a big amount for the holiday fund. Last Saturday we went hiking in Croyde and at the car park we had no choice how many hours we wanted to stay. You have to pay 8 pounds for the ticket. I've seen that here several times now. Just going to get something you don't need for long can be expensive. It's very annoying when you're always get afraid of doing something wrong. The parking sharks are becoming more and more brazen and criminal. We only ever went on to foot to Lamorna. It's good to know that everything is privatised. You can get rich with parking spaces. Thank you for sharing the video. Gabi:)

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Thank goodness for that kind lady, we notice that all of the signs are in English, and that must make it so hard for tourists from abroad. I’m going to make sure I ask if people need help I the future. Sarah :)

[@goodquestion8064]

CASH IS KING 👑 ,, the dumb people not using cash will be thier own demise when the CBDC come into play .. cash is freedom . cash is privacy .. if you know this place is cash only then take cash or go someplace else … CASH IS KING 👑

[@keithdavies1395]

Surely if it's a PRIVATE car parking facility you can't be coerced into paying a fine?

[@Gaspode_]

It's an invoice that is usually made to look like a fine. It is up to them to prove that they entered into a contract with you, you don't have to prove that you didn't. A photograph of the car numberplate proves your car was there, not that you were driving, and an inanimate object cannot enter into a contract, nor can another other person who was definately driving enter into one on the owner's behalf. If you want to fight it, admit nothing, don't provide them with any information that might be contrued as an admission. Remember they have to prove they have a contract with the person they are persuing, ie. the person who parked, which may or may not be the owner of the vehicle. Not that doesn't apply to actual fines issued by authorities. That's going to be a lot of faffing around with small claims court though so it's simpler all round just to pay the parking fee requested.

[@neilgriffiths3042]

I would go to court and hope the judge has some common sense And dismisses the case , this is entrapment and should be made illegal ?

[@paulvallance4970]

A beautifully designed fleecing operation. A big sign saying you have 10 minutes to ‘park and pay’ or leave to avoid £100 fine should be at the entrance. Will probably take 10 minutes to park, read all the rules in small print at the pay-point and put only cash into machine. They can afford to install ANPR system but not a proper payment system. Devious!

[@bobberdaddy]

As it is private road I duct taped both plates before getting to camera, parked up and removed tape in case Karen's lurking. Tape back on prior to exit and then removed on the pub car park back up the hill.🤑

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

😂🤣😂 Excellent! Sarah :)

[@westaussiejeff1547]

I trust the landowner isn't connected to the Duchy of Cornwall...

[@stanwilson8089]

I cancelled a fortnights holliday at lamorna cove simply because of the parking charges.Personally,I would ignore the fines and let them take me to court.I doubt you would be taken to court.Cornish tourism will take a dive.North wales has similar parking sharks.

[@Daisy-tl2lh]

car parking is a multi billion business and not a penny of it goes into town infrastricture and upkeep of the roads ... people need to stop paying and when dragged before the beak demand a trial by Jury that'll put an end to all the nonsense!!

[@Jason-vx1xe]

Just be aware cash is king never reliable on your chip an pin or Internet this is one of the reasons you should only use cash iv never had a problem when I go sea fishing always got coins knowing I'm going to need them

[@roncouch]

Ten minutes is nowhere near long enough! To read the terms and conditions, to assess if you have sufficient coinage of the correct denomination, would be a challenge; especially with a vehicle bursting with children eager to get to the beach!

[@thehoodedman2917]

i was in a grid locked car park 12 minutes. It took all that time to search for a space, not to find one and try to exit. £60 fine arrived by post a few days later, I had over stayed my time searching for a space.

[@Thereishope664]

This payment method seems unfair so I would dispute any fines if overstaying ten minutes. Take them to court if necessary. Ignore the threatening debt collection letters. They are designed to scare you.

[@Doog513]

It is called entrapment, however, there should be signs to make you aware before you get to the line that you have to cross before you are actually in "the camera zone" it is just another rip off which will kill the tourist industry. Apparently they have the same system in the Lake District as well. You can actually hear the fall of coins slowly getting less and less as the tourist stays at home but; the fines from these places are getting more and more viable for the companies running them.

[@LordBurberryGB]

The only way to stop this is to STOP going there and not to support them ... unfortunate, this is such a scam as it becomes a private road and the terms are not short and easy to read !!!

[@LOrealHardly]

If you have driven onto private land before reaching the car park, why not just cover up your reggie plates and give them a taste of their own medicine?

[@paddington3028]

Everyone should do it

[@joyhursey1480]

Thanks you two, good information , I shan’t be visiting there.

[@blackvulcan100]

Had short holiday in Cornwall five years ago. Never again.

[@bowwave59]

What happens when the machines are full? 10 minutes is not enough if it’s busy .

[@trooperthatsall5250]

look, as this is private and they do send you a charge, its technically an invoice, as such you Don't have to pay it, but you should always challenge it. Even if you think you are wrong, often these types of carparks fail to follow the rules. They are in the business of making money from you. Its obvious a trap to trick you into parking and not having coins, the 10mins start when you enter, look at the signage, is it clear how many spaces are available? no, so you drive down, hit a small line of cars, and they are in the same situ as you, finding a space, and paying the fee, but seeing as the signage does not explain this you should use this to get the independent review. That alone should get this throw out as the time has runout...so acting like a honey pot, a trap to extract money from you. Signage is the issue here, it has to be clear and understandable, but that sign font is far to small to be read clearly by a visually impaired and there is only one in each carpark, there should be more. ~Trooper

[@mattwoodford1820]

You need reasonable time to read the terms and conditions because it is a contract. Many people pay these quickly to get rid of them but worth seeking legal advice as it is about a contract. If someone was dyslexic it may take them longer to read the T&C's and if that's not enough then the contract would be illegal cos you can't just write whatever you want, it has to be above board. Appropriate signage must be up as well. It MAY be possible to pay after you leave when you do get internet access but remote places don't have internet access. Nant Peris car park in Wales is the same but it teases you with a card payment

[@kernowarty]

Wow! We were lucky last year then. I didn't know about the 10 minute time to decide if you want to park there. We drove in and past the cafe and up over to the grassy bit by the cliff and stopped to admire the view then went. It must have been just under the 10 minute limit. Won't do that again.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Very lucky! In fact I’d love to know how close!!! Sarah :)

[@alandavies1054]

Simple solution…don’t go…go elsewhere in the area, or, better still, go abroad, it’s no more expensive and you are guaranteed better weather…then see how long it takes for this scandal to change.

[@howarddickinson2038]

Thank you so much for this my family & I will stay away from Cornwall altogether again thank you

[@mkkravist11]

If I know I’m entering a private road, I can cover my plates. Officially, that’s for MY privacy as I don’t consent for my personal information to be shared! I’m always low or have no coins. Cornwall is selling out more and more to greedy landlords and money grabbing businesses. Tourists allow Cornwall to exist, without Emmets the county would be akin to a 3rd world state; yet its these same Emmets who are continually punished. I have no love for 2nd home owners but those people who come to the area to spend money to pump into local businesses should not have the proverbial taken out of them.

[@59BIGTED]

Just make a temporary cover to place over your number plate,if your on private land its not illegal if you don't consent to them sharing your details with their agencies,mine is P155 OFF.

[@mikeheard4859]

I believe the cove is owned by the owner of Lamorna cove hotel, another emmet from up county with wonga taking over & making visiting this beautiful county impossible, the locals the folk who were born & bred here rely on income from the visiting public, it’s outrageous that they have got away with conflicting signage on the approach road, it stinks of one almighty royal stitch up, someone needs to take this to a claims court & see who comes out grinning !!!!!

[@barriewilliams4526]

It's not just car parks In Cornwall either. We were charged £5 to launch our kayaks whilst holidaying there. "Rip Off Britain" in this case, "Rip Off Cornwall"👎

[@jeremypritchard9058]

As it is a private road and car park cover your Reg plates as they are not needed

[@davewatson309]

Im sorry but i dont like the car park app revolution having seen old folk turning up without smartphones, also in snowdonia unable to download the app. Take cash, cash is king. Cashless is a banking scam, why should the rest of us pay the banks charges to the businesses? And put your small change in the charity box

[@colinbaker3415]

Thanks for highlighting this rip off. Just another case of a private land owner on the make . Are they taking advantage of the fact that there is little or no internet signal ? we always carry a small bag of change on holiday just in case we come across a carpark like this. But one thing that you highlighted in the second carpark is the lack of markings, or signage that it is even a car park! Yet buried in the T&Cs, which ironically are so long you could take the 10 mins grace period to read, states you must park in a marked bay!! 😠

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Yes, the Trip Advisor comments all reflect the lack of clear signage and hidden t&c. We thought it would take a while to read them all! There are more about blue badge holders!! Sarah :)

[@rogerhollingsworth]

From your video it appears there are few "Pay & Display" notices. I think one is too few and insufficient for a contract between the land owners and car owners to be established. If one is brave one can challenge the debt owners/collectors to take you to court to establish their claim. I did just that to Amtrac and won but it is a hassle having to go to court. The other place with a car park fee scam is Mousehole but the carpark owners have ample signage.

[@christopherrichardson8413]

No WiFi, 150yrs ago it was possible to send and receive morse code messages to and from India from Porthcurnow via submerged cable.

[@debbiehollis5711]

Its a rip off.Not just Lamorna but all over Cornwall .If you don't pay ,the private company would have to take you to court.Are they prepared to do this i doubt it .

[@andrewarmstrong1017]

Got caught up the Rd from the King Arthur car park Tintagel by Parking eye... The machine kept rejecting my coins, by the time I got ones that stayed in the machine.. A week later in the post a fine and photo of the vehicle entering the car park.. I explained the situation, sent a copy of my ticket... They demanded £100... The ticket cost was 50p for 30mins... Long story short... In the end they dropped the case, as I offered them another 50p for the few minutes it went over due to the coins being rejected.... ARGH# infuriating!!.. Tip hold on to your tickets as proof especially with Parking eye

[@alanbaxter8100]

By not going here will drain them of the extra income, this is the only way greed and ignorance can be solved

[@koolerking440]

All parking areas now privately owned I guess (unless owned by the council), but they all seem to off load the running of them to private companies who are there to just make as much money as possible off you. 10 mins is not enough to park, there should be a law that states EVERY paying option is available (a wire line must get to the cafe, so the parking company should install their own wifi). As a probably VERY grey area, technically the road and car park is private, what's to stop you having false plate put on your car before entering?! I know thats very dodgy, but I feel the public is being pushed by private companies and government in every direction. We need to fight back.

[@gordnperrott7019]

I tried to pay with smaller coins but the machine rejected them all. I guess I was lucky to leave within ten minutes. Parked elsewhere to walk to the Solomon Browne memorial.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Ahhh yes! We had a similar problem. It takes a maximum number of coins, something like 20 or 25 off the top of my head, Sarah :)

[@mrsose1872]

You turn up at a remote part of Cornwall and expect to pay contactless? Always take some coins with you for this eventuality.

[@geoffhodgson2201]

Dvla never asked if they could share my details with private companies shurley they are breaking the law

[@davidgillespie9803]

Thanks for the heads up. I agree 10 mins is not enough time, you are probably losing a minute to a minute and a half before you actually find a parking space judging by where you are initially photographed, I will avoid going here until I hear things have improved ie lines indicating when you have actually entered the carpark, because as it stands you are entering at some point going down the hill.

[@paulhardingharding3192]

Take your number plate off b4 u enter the village!!

[@Daisy-tl2lh]

or better still find something quick n easy that can be stuck on then taken off in a hurry ... there's a business opportunity for some clever entrepreneur!

[@madb132]

@Bercilak de hautdesert It's not Illegal if you are on Private road. Just cover them up👍

[@glyn829]

Sadly these are popping up all over cornwall and some are quite a bit more expensive than there , we are in the National trust and try to head for their carparks where possible as its free to members

[@peterdovey5182]

Thank you both for giving us the heads up.

[@1962lp2h]

It's a similar deal with Tesco, Asda etc certainly here in Scotland, £70 fine if you stay 4 hours or longer - a few day's later you get an a bill for £70 OR £30 if you pay it by a certain date.

[@cuccumagic]

Great video! Thanks, We had a huge fine to pay in trevone. We were going there every day to buy groceries from the shop, and always leaving someone in the car, we and up paying £ 250 in fines, now we are very put of to stop to any seaside car park . Ciao G

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Such a shame, and as a Cornish person, it’s so embarrassing! Gives the county such a bad name. Sarah :)

[@elizabethmcleod246]

@@CornishWalkingTrails I get the feeling the residents don’t want tourists going to LaMorna.

[@ianbayley6092]

There are no charges for beach carparks where I live. The government realises the benefit for its people.