UKPC Car Park Fines

Buxor

Hi all,

I was wondering if you would be able to help me with a problem...

Today, I received two car parking fines from UKPC car parks for staying 3 hours over the allowed time of 2 hours. Basically, I work across the road from a retail car park, (parking where I work is very difficult, only managers may park in the store car park as there is very little space). I have parked in the retail car park since I started working there part-time in Dec '08 and have never had an issue.

However, I have recently started my job again after my first year of uni and summer holiday; It seems UKPC have implemented a new camera system in the retail car park, upon which they take a picture of your car entering and leaving the car park, thus automatically knowing how long you were there for. Since the beginning of the week I have worked 4 shifts, and parked in the retail car park for around 5 hours each time. I have had 2 'parking charge notice' letters already, and am expecting 2 more! Obviously, I will not be parking there again, but I now find myself with four £90 fines (£45 if paid withing 14 days) which being a student, will find very difficult to pay.

After doing some research, I am very reluctant to pay the 'invoice'. The only way they can legally demand money from me is if they were to take me to court...which is where the problem lies. I am worrying that because I have 4 offences that the chances of this happening will be far greater, and whether it is advisable to pay the fines now or not?

Any advice will be much appreciated!

Regards,

Buxor.

Kite2010

Ignore everything they send you, other in the very rare event you get sent proper court-papers.

I'm assuming the retail park is free parking, so total damages endured by your 'trespassing' is zero

taffy056

They are completely unenforceable tickets, they will not take you to court at all because they would lose as there is no loss. So ignore utterly!

But can I just say though, just because they are unenforceable doesn't mean that you should park there all day, the shops there are running a business, you are occupying a space that a paying customer at their shops could be occupying, isn't there anywhere else at all you can park at?

Buxor

Thanks for your advice guys.

Taffy, with regard to your post, I work early hours usually, when the car park is nigh-on empty, so I don't really affect anyone. Having said that though, I have been abusing the system a bit; lesson learnt...I won't be parking there again.

taffy056

Buxor wrote: »

Thanks for your advice guys.

Taffy, with regard to your post, I work early hours usually, when the car park is nigh-on empty, so I don't really affect anyone. Having said that though, I have been abusing the system a bit; lesson learnt...I won't be parking there again.

Well if you are in and out generally when the car park is not used there is no loss to the shops at all, but the scammers don't care about the fact that there may be 300 spaces free as all the shops are closed, they just want your money!

Try alternatives around there, perhaps you could ask your managers if they could have a chat about you using the car park when the shops are not open etc, if all else fails park there as the ticket is not enforceable.