MP Lola McEvoy has called for an urgent meeting over the “heavy-handed” approach of a Darlington car park owner and its “unacceptable” five-minute policy. 

Feethams Leisure, located underneath the DL1 complex, has been the centre of major controversy in recent months after a string of visitors were slapped with hefty fines. 

The underground car park, run by Excel Parking, has long been criticised over its strict five-minute time constraint - and has been branded a “consistent problem” for customers.

Over the years, many drivers who didn't pay up within the short time frame were left facing Parking Charge Notices (PCNs), which often start at £100. 

Now, new Darlington MP Lola McEvoy has weighed in on the issue, saying she was “shocked” to receive so many complaints about the car park. 

Speaking exclusively to The Northern Echo last week, Ms McEvoy said the car park was “not working” and that she wants to “understand the rationale” behind the “heavy-handed” approach. 

Darlington MP Lola McEvoy speaking to Alex O'Leary at the Feethams Leisure Car Park. Darlington MP Lola McEvoy speaking to Alex O'Leary at the Feethams Leisure Car Park. (Image: Stuart Boulton)

She said: “It's unacceptable. People parking at DL1 want to use the facilities there, and there needs to be accommodation for that.

“It’s a very heavy-handed approach. I want to understand the rationale there - and I want to speak to them in Parliament.

“It’s not working for people and clearly they must be inundated with people and their fines.

“The fact that I was in there for five minutes and someone in a wheelchair was having issues highlights just how much of a problem it is.” 

Ms McEvoy claimed she had heard stories of people being threatened with bailiffs, and others who paid for parking and were still fined because they missed the five-minute window. 

She continued: “Whatever is going on is not working. I have been quite shocked by some of the stories. 

“If people are getting stung £100 or more, and they struggle to pay that during the cost of living crisis, they’re going to stop using businesses. 

“For so long, people have struggled to get support, over what would be the last 14 years. We will take every step we can to sort it out.

“This is about fairness - and I campaigned on a fairness ticket.” 

 

McEvoy ‘shocked’ by surge of complaints

Ms McEvoy has now written to Excel Parking, and the owner of the DL1 development, with hopes for an urgent meeting in the Houses of Parliament. 

The letter states:

I am writing to you as the Member of Parliament for Darlington where Excel Parking Services Limited operates the Feethams Leisure car park in the DL1 complex.


I was newly elected on the 4th July 2024 and am shocked by the number of complaints I have received about your 5-minute policy for parking in the facility and the heavy-handed approach used to demand repayment of fines issued by your company.


I request an urgent meeting to discuss this with you and to understand your decision to use these measures and to represent my constituents who are being fined.


I have copied this invitation to the landlord of DL1 in charge of granting your commercial contract and would ask that they attend this meeting too.


Please provide some dates for an urgent meeting in the Houses of Parliament as soon as possible. I would appreciate if you set down in writing ahead of this meeting your justification for your policy in this area.

 

New complaints surface

This week, The Northern Echo reported how visitors are continuing to be left furious over the “rip off” fines.

Most recently, Thomas Allison, from Newton Aycliffe, was left stunned after his daughter was fined just weeks after passing her driving test. 

The Feethams Leisure car park, located underneath the DL1 complexThe Feethams Leisure car park, located underneath the DL1 complex (Image: STUART BOULTON)

He said it was a “really off-putting experience” for 20-year-old Emily.

Earlier this year, Excel Parking took Darlington man Chris Davies to county court after he refused to pay a PCN. 

Chris said he was "really annoyed" at the "aggressive" letters from owners - and the judge dismissed the fine saying the expectation to pay within five minutes “wasn’t achievable or fair.”

Excel Parking said: "In the two cases raised by The Northern Echo, the Parking Charges were issued as the first individual did not make payment of the tariff until 20 minutes after entering the car park and the second individual did not make payment until 1 hour and 18 minutes after entering the car park.

"At this car park, there are 3 pay meters taking cash and 2 different pay by phone/ online options. We therefore see no reason for such a delay in making payment."

This news comes as concerns continue to be raised over the long-term future of the DL1 complex following Tomahawk’s closure. 

Since 2018, a string of venues have been forced to close, including Italian restaurant chain Prezzo, The Chinese Buffet, and coffee shop Mangobean. 

Former Darlington MP Peter Gibson told The Echo that he had been in correspondence with Excel Parking over the issues in recent years, previously saying he was “incredibly disappointed” by the firm’s response. 

Last week, Mr Gibson also slammed the “heavy-handed” practices at the site.

Recommended reading:

Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Get access for just £1.50 a week. Click here.

He explained: “I do hope we can welcome Tomahawk back to Darlington in the future and in the meantime I would encourage anyone wanting to park to use the Feethams multi-storey.”

A council spokesperson said: “The loss of any business is a shame, and Tomahawk is no different. DL1 remains an important part of the vibrant leisure offer in Darlington town centre.”

Excel Parking said it had no further comment to make.

The Northern Echo has contacted DL1 owners but is yet to receive a response.