A Liverpool father is facing a potential court dispute after refusing to pay a £100 private parking charge incurred while dropping his children at school. Steven Thompson received the fine for stopping on Hawthorns Grove, a private cul-de-sac near Runnymede St Edward Catholic Primary School in West Derby, Liverpool.
Thompson ferries his two children from their home on Colonel Drive to the school each morning, a journey of about a mile and a half. He parks on the street to escort his son and daughter across the carriageway to school, a routine that has now brought him into conflict with a private parking enforcement firm.
ANPR camera triggers parking charge
The charge was issued by UKCPS, the company managing an automated number plate recognition (ANPR) camera on Hawthorns Grove. The camera is believed to have been installed by residents of a housing estate opposite the school within the last 12 months. The road is not maintained by Liverpool Council, so its upkeep falls to the homeowners, which means it can be classified as a private road.
In April, Thompson received a parking charge notice from UKCPS after his vehicle was detected leaving his car for eight minutes on April 13 while dropping off his children. A subsequent letter stated: "In accordance with the signage that is clearly and prominently displayed on site, drivers who break the terms and conditions of parking are liable to pay a parking charge."
Father disputes fine and camera operation
Thompson claimed there were problems with how the cameras functioned and penalties were handed out, as well as UKCPS' right to install the cameras. He said: "I think there's a lot of discrepancies with it, you work hard and pay your tax, I'm not paying to take my kids to school."
He added: "For me, it's totally wrong. The signs say see signage within the car park but there isn't a car park. I feel sorry for a lot of the parents, if you come at 8am it's fine but at 8.30am it's carnage. I don't know where the ANPR picks you up. There's got to be a bit of give and take, everyone's just trying to do their best and go to work, take their kids to school."
Residents' concerns and school plea
Notices on Hawthorns Grove show virtual permits only permit parking on the road, with some motorists blocking access to the street during busy periods. Thompson revealed he had previously been confronted by residents "with clipboards" who had voiced worries about vehicles being left near their homes.
In 2024, a letter was sent to parents pleading with them to show more consideration during pick-up and drop-off times, including a request not to use the private close at Hawthorns Grove. There is a car park opposite Runnymede St Edward, but it is shut by 9.15am.
Thompson now faces a mediation session and potentially a day in court after refusing to pay the charge. He said: "Parents at Runneymede St Edwards are being fined for parking in this road, when the fact of the matter is that the car park is too small. I think it is morally unacceptable to fine working people trying to drop their kids at school on time before heading to a day of work."
