Parkforce Charge in University Car Park - Advice Needed

CraigIC

Evening all , hope you can aid me in this sticky situation,

I've recently been issued with a pcn, parking charge notice of £60 from parkforce, for parking in a universities (which i attend) car park containing other cars, whilst displaying a valid permit.
Thing is, i was displaying my permit in the window, and they've wrote on the pcn that the 'Reason: No Parking Zone'. However i WAS parked in a designated bay, and there was NO indication that i could not park there, anywhere in the entire car park.
The pcn: (http,,) i53.tinypic.com/2uh6z5k.jpg

However there was a single sign (approximately slightly larger than a single a4 piece of paper), on the entrance to the site, and nowhere near the car park itself, that the car park was closed.
The car park i used was accessible through another car park which was full. In the car park I obtained the ticket, there was no sign whatsoever to say I couldnt park there, other than the signs displaying the contractual agreement whereby i needed a valid permit. There were also other cars in the same car park as me, giving me reason enough to not think it was closed or even to think anything different to any other day, since many departments and staff members with vehicles are currently on leave, for the exam period and whatnot.

The contractual agreement as stated on the various signs scattered throughout the site, state that i should display a valid university permit, which i did, so in my eyes im not in the wrong.. as i have not broken any contractual agreement, nor even signed a contract for that matter (?). I did however comply to all terms and conditions displayed on the agreement sign, so did not break any terms, so surely shouldnt be fined?
The 'contractual agreement' sign: (http,,) i54.tinypic.com/2u8xtat.jpg

I have a friend who can verify the situation and I will take any more pictures tomorrow if i find out what, if any would be useful/necessary in this scenario.

Any advice on what i should do in this situation?
Any conditional pros/cons to putting in an appeal or ignoring them or reasons to pay them?

Cheers for any responses guys

taffy056

Well this i just a fake pcn, just an invoice requesting payment, not enforceable, and certainly should be ignored, together with any letters from powerless debt collectors, for further advice view these videos by watchdog, it explains pretty much everything you need to know

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3164256

And a link to your image for ease of use

http://i53.tinypic.com/2uh6z5k.jpg

CraigIC

Thankyou mate, will do just that! Ill post if i get any more letters, someone might want to add the new version of their letters to the image thread?

Thanks again

truthseeker11

I just noticed that the Sign-age uses the word 'Penalties'. This is most certainly not allowed. I'm having problems with Parkforce myself. All the best.

trisontana

They've certainly got delusions of grandeur, what with calling themselves "The UK Parking Enforcement Agency", and having "Civil Enforcement Agents" working for them. Anyone would think they are trying to fool people into thinking they are some sort of official organization, instead of just being a tin-pot private parking company.

AlexisV

Parkfarce - easy to ignore.