A MOTORIST who was slapped with a parking fine has demanded it be rescinded because he claims there was no information on charges.

Bruno Pasqual maintains that when he parked in the Hunters Bridge car park, in Bridge Road, Welwyn Garden City on January 8, the entrance barrier was up and there were no signs telling of the charges.

Mr Pasqual, 62, said he had tried to park there a few days before and the barriers were down and the car park closed, so he assumed it was free as recompense for the previous closure.

He had forgotten about the incident until February 5 when he was sent a penalty charge notice by council contractors CP Plus demanding �35 which would rise to �70 if not paid within 14 days.

Mr Pasqual replied by recorded delivery in the hope of overturning the fine, only to have his letter ignored.

A final reminder arrived on February 21 threatening Mr Pasqual with “further action” from a debt collection agency unless he pays up within 14 days.

He said: “I don’t know what to do or who to call to challenge this.”

Mr Pasqual went back to the car park and signs had been put up since his last visit.

He said: “I have found information displayed on the posts on each entry lane and the same at exit lanes which were not there on January 8.”

But the company claims to have not received Mr Pasqual’s letter, which has been seen by the Welwyn Hatfield Times, and said that signs detailing charges were “clearly displayed”.

A spokeswoman for Welwyn Hatfield Council said: “No appeal, or any correspondence relating to the PCN notice issued in respect of this vehicle, has been received by CP Plus.

“Motorists who park in Hunters Bridge and fail to pay are issued with a �70 PCN, which must be paid within 28 days of issue.

“The penalty is reduced to �35 if paid within 14 days.”

The car park was the site of chaotic scenes at the end of last year when the new parking regime was brought in, causing confusion for scores of customers.