Private Parking Tickets discussion

Moon_Maiden

From my own perspective now moved onto the Debt Collectors. My, how the months fly by!

BristolBoy23

Hello everyone,

Im new to this forum but have been an avid reader for many months. I never thought I would have anything to post with regards to parking fines until yesterday.......

I parked my car at Mortimer train station in Reading yesterday and this car park is always really busy and always over capacity. It only has about 60 spaces.
When I arrived at 11am the car park was full so i drove down to the end of the car park and parked on a piece of free land (where there was no parking bays) but lined up beside a car who was also parking in this clear space but not in a bay. There is nothing saying you cant park here so i thought i would be fine.
I went to University for the day and came back and i had a parking fine, issued by no other than APCOA.

The ticket is headed 'Parking Enforcement Notice Railway Byelaw 14'
The offence was number 04 on thier list which is: 'Not designated parking area'.

I was stunned to find it there as it wasnt like i was parked causing an obstruction or something, i just wasnt in a 'bay'.

There is a slightly knocked over parking conditions sign near the enterance to the car park, which i went and looked at this morning, where it does state all the parking offences that will bring you a fine and one of them is not parking in a bay.

So i would just like to know what to do really, its my first parking ticket ever and i'm unsure what to do.

I've read your suppose to just ignore this company but I've actually commited an offence according to thier rules so i dont think i even have a leg to stand on to even try appealling to them

If anyone has an information or ideas that would really really be appreciated.

Many thanks,

sarahg1969

Does the ticket say that failure to pay will result in County Court or Magistrates' Court action?

It's not unknown for these cowboys to lie about the Railway Byelaws.

BristolBoy23

sarahg1969 wrote: »

Does the ticket say that failure to pay will result in County Court or Magistrates' Court action?

It's not unknown for these cowboys to lie about the Railway Byelaws.

Hi Sarahg1969,

It does say on the back:

'SHOULD PAYMENT NOT BE RECIEVED WITHIN THE SPECIFIED TIMES, A SUMMONS WILL BE ISSUED IN THE COUNTY COURT WHERE JUDGEMENT MAY BE SOUGHT FOR DEBT TO INCLUDE ANY AND ALL COSTS INCURRED IN RECOVERY'

Does that help?

Many thanks,

peter_the_piper

The operative word is MAY. They won't. They copy the gist of the railway bylaw 14 to intimidate you and make you think that its a legal document. They are no more entitled to claim its under rail bylaws than I am.

katvet

I got a private parking ticket back in August which I ignored on the basis it was unfair. However I've now been contacted by a debt collection company demanding payment. What should I do? Continue to ignore or contact the company who issued the ticket to dispute?
Thanks.

trisontana

katvet wrote: »

I got a private parking ticket back in August which I ignored on the basis it was unfair. However I've now been contacted by a debt collection company demanding payment. What should I do? Continue to ignore or contact the company who issued the ticket to dispute?
Thanks.

Ignore to the power of 10!

trisontana

While researching a hotel near Heathrow I came across this on the Travelodge website site:-

The car park adjoining the hotel is owned by Moto and operated on their behalf by CP Plus. All Travelodge customers travelling by motor vehicle must enter their vehicle registration number into the console at hotel reception when checking in. This will ensure free parking for the duration of your stay. Failure to do so may result in a parking fine of £15. Travelodge Hotels Ltd will not be liable for any fines incurred. Travelodge customers do not need to pay and display.

I wonder if somebody should have a quiet word with either Moto or Travelodge pointing out the difference between a "fine" and an invoice?

Coblcris

Does the rest of their material offer free parking anywhere in the text. Specifically as part of the offer to rent a room ? If so what does it say ?

I notice 'enusre' - not 'provide'.

I notice 'fine'.

I notice that the passengers also have to enter the registration details.

I notice that these terms are, frankly speaking, trash.

trisontana

This is the relevant page:-

Travelodge

It doesn't mention free parking anywhere else.