Car Park: Towneley High School

[dsr]

I dont know anyone apart from you who confuses closing time for an appointment time but i'll give you the benefit of the doubt and just put it down to one of your silly analogy's.

Now Ive got to rush as I have a hairdressers appointment at 11am and it closes at 11am. Luckily for me I dont need them to cut any of my hair but I still dont want to miss the appointment

Hairdressers don't make appointments at 11 am if they close at 11 am. It's you who is being silly.

Does it work with all car park tickets? If you buy a car park ticket for an hour and come back after 40 minutes and have a parking fine, was that because of lack of common sense? Or is it just when locking your car behind a closed gate that you should never use a matchday car park?

Why did you put an apostrophe in "i'll"?

[Goobs]

I dont know anyone apart from you who confuses closing time for an appointment time but i'll give you the benefit of the doubt and just put it down to one of your silly analogy's.

Now Ive got to rush as I have a hairdressers appointment at 11am and it closes at 11am. Luckily for me I dont need them to cut any of my hair but I still dont want to miss the appointment

I wouldn't bother going as they will have closed at half 10. Common sense should have told you that.

[Devils_Advocate]

Hairdressers don't make appointments at 11 am if they close at 11 am. It's you who is being silly.

Does it work with all car park tickets? If you buy a car park ticket for an hour and come back after 40 minutes and have a parking fine, was that because of lack of common sense? Or is it just when locking your car behind a closed gate that you should never use a matchday car park?

Why did you put an apostrophe in "i'll"?

If it was a matchday car park I would expect it to stay open for a reasonable time after the event to allow people to leave. As it isn't a matchday car park i'm not sure what your point is unless you are now on my side and highlighting that maybe in future people should use a matchday car park.

Glad you have finally come around to my way of thinking and just to put your mind at rest you will never get a parking fine for parking 40 mins when you have displayed a ticket that permits you to park for an hour

[2 Bee Holed]

Update:
Towneley seems to be shut this week, only open at weekends.
So I emailed the Council.
If I ever receive a reply I will let you know.

I cannot enter into debate/arguments with somebody with such a poor command of grammar.
Except to say I am bemused. If something is advertised as opening at 9am and closing at 10pm.
I suspect some people think I am clearly a simpleton if I expect it to open at 9am and close at 10pm.
According to some I assume that means 9.30am until 9.30pm?
If that is what is meant, surely it should be advertised as such?
Otherwise chaos ensues, as it did on the 28th.

[TVC15]

Why does it matter if it’s a match day car park or not ?
It’s a public pay car park that advertises its open till a certain time. The only time they should ever shut the car park early is if there is nobody on it.

The fact that they knew there was more people parked there than normal because of the match makes it even worse for them to close it early.

Why should people have to use match day car parks if they are more expensive ? Unless Townley or any other car park bring something in to prohibit football fans using their car park then every car park is a match day car park.

[2 Bee Holed]

Do we have Match Day car parks?

[TVC15]

Do we have Match Day car parks?

Yep couple up passed Plumb Street Miners - they are not official club ones just people trying to make money from spare bits of land by charging them over the odds.

It was a concept started by the good people of Liverpool I believe - it was invented after they got tired of sending their 6 year old children out at demanding money off away fans parking on their roads on match days. They used to call that one “I’ll look after your ccaaaar mate” law.

[2 Bee Holed]

Here we go, I have just had this email from Burnley Borough Council.

I am speechless.

I refer to your email of 2nd January and I am very sorry to hear that your vehicle was locked in Woodgrove car park, Towneley Park, following the football matchon 28th December.

The park rangers were at the car park from 7.45pm until approximately 9pm and left the car park open and the barrier unlocked. Under no circumstances would they lock thecar park whilst cars were still parked on it.

I am unable to identify who might have locked the car park, but we are aware that keys are in circulation for the type of lock that was fitted on this car park. We havenow changed the type of padlock that we use on Woodgrove car park to ensure that this cannot happen again.

Simon Goff
Head of Green Spaces & Amenities
93 Rossendale Road
Burnley

BB11 5DD

[TVC15]

Wow - that is a convenient get out.
Unless you can prove that it was the park rangers then you are forced to accept his version that there are people out there with keys to padlocks who go round locking people in just for the fun of it !!

If I was you I would take this story to the Burnley Express - you have a quote from the council - let the good people of Burnley enjoy it and to warn everyone of this sick twisted new crime epidemic that is sweeping our town.
I think it’s your duty.

[Leisure]

Here we go, I have just had this email from Burnley Borough Council.

I am speechless.

I refer to your email of 2nd January and I am very sorry to hear that your vehicle was locked in Woodgrove car park, Towneley Park, following the football matchon 28th December.

The park rangers were at the car park from 7.45pm until approximately 9pm and left the car park open and the barrier unlocked. Under no circumstances would they lock thecar park whilst cars were still parked on it.

I am unable to identify who might have locked the car park, but we are aware that keys are in circulation for the type of lock that was fitted on this car park. We havenow changed the type of padlock that we use on Woodgrove car park to ensure that this cannot happen again.

Simon Goff
Head of Green Spaces & Amenities
93 Rossendale Road
Burnley

BB11 5DD

If some unknown person had locked the car park then surely when the official person came along at 10pm to lock it they would have seen that it was already locked and either opened it to allow cars off and/or reported it to their manager?

[Billy Balfour]

Beware of the secret car park locker-upper.

[Billy Balfour]

If some unknown person had locked the car park then surely when the official person came along at 10pm to lock it they would have seen that it was already locked and either opened it to allow cars off and/or reported it to their manager?

This.

Email the council and ask why it wasn't unlocked by the official person.

[Goobs]

Christ on a bike, back in the day the ghost / scary stories were a lot better, with a higher class of villain than they guy who locks your car in the car park

[Sean Dyche's Watch]

If some unknown person had locked the car park then surely when the official person came along at 10pm to lock it they would have seen that it was already locked and either opened it to allow cars off and/or reported it to their manager?

Exactly what I was going to say!

[Burnley1989]

Me and a mate swear we once saw the white lady on big billy (the hill at the back of the car park) when I was about 12.

Didn’t see any keys though

[2 Bee Holed]

Had another reply to a 2nd email I sent asking why if they had returned at 10pm to lock it up, could they not have unlocked it.

What's this about BFC traffic management? I think I will leave this alone now!


The park rangers did not return to the car park on the evening of 28th. They left the car park unlocked at 9pm so that cars would be able to leave and the Senior Park Ranger was surprised to find the barrier locked the following morning and was not aware that cars had been locked in.

I assume that the open back transit with the orange light belongs to the traffic management company that works on behalf of the football club. I had reports thatit was lighting the route out of the car park. It is not a ranger vehicle.

As I explained in my earlier email, we have now switched to a unique lock for this car park and will remove both the lock and chain when rangers leave to ensurethat cars can't be locked in again.

kind regards

Simon Goff

Head of Green Spaces and Amenities
Cemetery Office
Rossendale Road
Burnley
BB11 5DD

[Burnleyareback2]

There is a book and perhaps a film in here somewhere.

[beddie]

I haven't seen the terms and conditions of the Council associated with that particular car park but going on what I've read, presumably it states either on clear signage or your ticket that the car park is open until 10.00 p.m. If that's correct I believe they have a duty under the implied term to be in attendance at 10.00 p.m. in order to ensure all vehicles have or are leaving by that time with a view to them locking the barrier. Their responsibility is much more than simply ensuring its kept or left open before that time.

[Devils_Advocate]

This is gripping stuff and the traffic management company working on behalf of Burnley FC is a real plot twist. I don't trust that park ranger he sounds a wrong'un and it wouldn't surprise me if Vydra is tied up in this somehow as well.

[Burnley1989]

I'd write to them again if I was you, you cant leave it there

[2 Bee Holed]

There is a book and perhaps a film in here somewhere.

Definitely a book. Perhaps a mini series?
Then if that is attracting huge viewing figures, then perhaps I'll consider any film offers.

[2 Bee Holed]

I'd write to them again if I was you, you cant leave it there

It's your turn to write now!
I am currently busy writing a best selling novel.

I'll give you 40% of the royalties from the book, as long as you post any replies on here.

[deanothedino]

If that's correct I believe they have a duty under the implied term to be in attendance at 10.00 p.m. in order to ensure all vehicles have or are leaving by that time with a view to them locking the barrier. Their responsibility is much more than simply ensuring its kept or left open before that time.

I think it's their choice whether or not they decide to turn up at 10pm to lock it. What you are suggesting doesn't necessarily solve the problem if someone else locks the car park at another time, as everyone would still have to wait until they turn up at 10pm to lock up and realise someone else already did it.

[ClaretTony]

What's this about BFC traffic management? I think I will leave this alone now!
[/i]

The traffic management company BFC use is Stadium TM which is owned by a bloke called David McAtamney. They've been used by our club since Paul Fletcher brought them in; they did the same role when he was at Coventry when he was there and they are Coventry based.

Not sure why they would be involved though in any way with this car park.

[tim_noone]

What an amazing thing to Happen...

[beddie]

I think it's their choice whether or not they decide to turn up at 10pm to lock it. What you are suggesting doesn't necessarily solve the problem if someone else locks the car park at another time, as everyone would still have to wait until they turn up at 10pm to lock up and realise someone else already did it.

What I'm saying is that under the terms (contract) you have to have the opportunity to leave the car park (by 10.00 p.m.) and whether someone else locks it or not (early) is irrelevant. The Council have a duty of care to ensure it's open until 10.00 p.m. and if that's means someone (Council) sitting on their backside for 8 hours then so be it. They have an alternative which is to install something that ensures it can't be locked by anyone else.

[deanothedino]

What I'm saying is that under the terms (contract) you have to have the opportunity to leave the car park (by 10.00 p.m.) and whether someone else locks it or not (early) is irrelevant. The Council have a duty of care to ensure it's open until 10.00 p.m. and if that's means someone (Council) sitting on their backside for 8 hours then so be it. They have an alternative which is to install something that ensures it can't be locked by anyone else.

That's not what you orginally said though.

They've now said they've changed the lock and will take it with them because of what happened on this occasion. Seems fair to me to say that they've taken reasonable and appropriate action.

[wilks_bfc]

The traffic management company BFC use is Stadium TM which is owned by a bloke called David McAtamney. They've been used by our club since Paul Fletcher brought them in; they did the same role when he was at Coventry when he was there and they are Coventry based.

Not sure why they would be involved though in any way with this car park.

It could be that they were just parked up there "out of the way" until they were needed to clear up (like how the coaches park up on the industrial estate)

[Bordeauxclaret]

It could be that they were just parked up there "out of the way" until they were needed to clear up (like how the coaches park up on the industrial estate)

Too much of a coincidence, something sinister about them. Lurking like that.

Or have they been thrown in there to take the focus away from someone else perhaps?

[IanMcL]

Me and a mate swear we once saw the white lady on big billy (the hill at the back of the car park) when I was about 12.

Didn’t see any keys though

The sound of rattling keys can be heard, only in the still of night...or a late matchday eve, when all persons are inside the hallowed land.

[Burnleyareback2]

Definitely a book. Perhaps a mini series?
Then if that is attracting huge viewing figures, then perhaps I'll consider any film offers.

Could I suggest, at least as a working title - “guess the gate”

[UnderSeige]

There was a situation three or four years back on the same car park. It was the first game of the season versus Chelsea. It was an evening match.

About half an hour before kick off, two official looking characters set themselves up at the gates to the car park. They were selling tickets to the car park by hand - despite there being a ticket machine.

The ticket machine price was £1 at the time. The officials (or non-officials) were trying to charge £4. They said the higher price was "because it's the Premiership". It was in fact Burnley's first Premiership match under Sean Dyche.

I had already purchased my ticket before they arrived. I sat watching the proceedings from my car. Some fans were arguing with them and then a police van turned up. I am not sure what happened after that but the officials (or whoever they were) were not at the following match.

If it wasn't the council or Park Rangers who locked the gate, could it have been someone trying a scam? A scam that backfired when the motorists found an alternative exit. I wonder what would have happened if some cars had queued up at the locked gate?

[dsr]

If it wasn't the council or Park Rangers who locked the gate, could it have been someone trying a scam? A scam that backfired when the motorists found an alternative exit. I wonder what would have happened if some cars had queued up at the locked gate?

It's certainly possible, but I wouldn't expect a long career for a pair of scammers who try and blackmail 100+ football fans into handing over money to let their cars out.

[UnderSeige]

dsr wrote:

It's certainly possible, but I wouldn't expect a long career for a pair of scammers who try and blackmail 100+ football fans into handing over money to let their cars out.

Yes it would be a very risky occupation. The car park attendants (or whatever they were) at the Chelsea match, a few years ago, were certainly trying to take £4 a car.

Perhaps if this does become a book or film, a happy ending would be for the 'phantom gate closer' to be thrown in the river accross the road. The fans would then be awarded free parking for the rest of the season.

[TVC15]

I think the twist in this story will be that none of these cars were locked in at all and they were just caught dogging.

[dougcollins]

I wish I'd gone dogging.

[Funkydrummer]

Does all this mean that they don't patrol the car park ? In which case there will be no
need to buy a ticket as it won't be checked !

A twist in the plot maybe - over to the ghost writer.

[UnderSeige]

I was very late for the Manchester City match last April and there were two wardens (or whatever) checking cars for tickets.

[FactualFrank]

I wish I'd gone dogging.

Me too, but I don't have a dog.

[Top Claret]

We all wished we had gone dogging