APCOA CPN - Swindon Railway Station

druid2808

Hi there

First of all, I have been keen fan of MSE for a while now, but this is the first time I have needed to draw on real life experiences. After searching the forums for this topic I must say this is a great community and I think I have my answer already. However just for sanity I wonder if anyone could help me with some advice...

On the 15th December I visited the above Railaway station and struggled to find a space. I considerately parked in a ' Not Designated parking Area' that I carefully chose so as not to obstruct any other motorists. This area was not marked as not designated by yellow lines or similar, it was just not a space.

Of course on returning to my vehicle, I had one of those lovely yellow stickers on my windscreen. After ignoring it over Christmas, I was all set to pay it today thinking today was the 14th day and it would go up to £80 tomorrow. Imagine my shock when I find out that the 14 days includes the day of the fine, therefore my fine is now £80 (over 10 times the £7.70 I paid to park there)

I have drafted a letter to them complaining of that their wording of the '14day offer' is misleading and I am willing to pay £42.30 (the original fine minus my parking costs), however I feel this will be a wasted exercise and so haven't sent it.

In my view I know I have parked incorrectly so I have made an error, but will ignoring this make it go away? My opinion based on this forum is yes.

On the back of the ticket is a threat of a County Court Summons, but I am guessing this is a threat and they will just pass the fine onto a debt collector and this entire process is just a scare tactics?

I would be grateful for any advice?

Thanks

peter_the_piper

Very, very few companies resort to courts. Its best to ignore them completely so it costs them money to chase the driver. You'll get about 5 letters and that's it.

taffy056

Does it mention a railway bylaw etc, and a magistrates court as the next step? Or simply its a parking charge notice ?

peter_the_piper

I thought the "county court summons" meant it was a ppc scam, but you could be right.

Fergie76

Also, given that PPC's like to trawl these boards, it might be wise to remove your 'friends' name and just say an unknown person was driving your car.

Coupon-mad

Don't even think of offering any more money, you've paid £7.70! Do not write to them!

Just check the stupid 'ticket' to see, who does it say to appeal to? If it says appeals go to a Magistrates Court then it's a real Railway bylaw ticket, if so then take it seriously.

It won't say that though. It will say some rubbish about appealing to the Company themselves (don't). There will be a PO Box I expect.

Ignore them, in the absence of the 'Magistrates Court appeal'. You have not been fined.

druid2808

Thanks Everyone.

There is no mention of a Railway ByLaw or a magistrates court. The threat is as follows 'SHOULD PAYMENT NOT BE RECEIVED 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'

A County Court is small claims court isn't it - which leads me to believe this will be a civil matter through and through?

taffy056

druid2808 wrote: »

Thanks Everyone.

There is no mention of a Railway ByLaw or a magistrates court. The threat is as follows 'SHOULD PAYMENT NOT BE RECEIVED 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'

A County Court is small claims court isn't it - which leads me to believe this will be a civil matter through and through?

In that case its safe to ignore completely as the invoice is not enforceable, and yes its a civil matter

Stigy

If they only mention a County Court, the general consnsus is to ignore, ignore ignore!

Coupon-mad

Stigy wrote: »

If they only mention a County Court, the general consnsus is to ignore, ignore ignore!

Yay, go stigy, great advice! :T

druid2808

Thanks again everyone. I'll keep you posted on the events.
Does anyone have a rough idea of how this pans out? i.e. How many threats they send etc
Obviously in the back of my mind I do have the fear of a CCJ