A bit of a strange one......

CKhalvashi

Hey guys,

Popped into the office for a few hours earlier, and lovingly returned to a parking ticket on the car. This has raised some interesting points:

-The ticket has been given by a subcontracted NCP agent, however has an East Herts District Council letterhead on the top (fraud by false representation?!)

-The car was observed from 14.19 to 14.24. This is five minutes, I thought the minimum was 15/20 minutes?

-I’ve parked on a single yellow with several signs, however one of the signs has been bent backwards (which coincidently was the one closest to my car)

-It’s bank holiday today, isn’t it?

-The cars in the street I’ve parked on were ticketed, the cars parked on the next road (which also has single yellows down both sides) weren’t.

Any ideas?

The_Slithy_Tove

Some councils subcontract their parking enforcement. Where exactly does the ticket tell you to send the payment? Sounds like it could well be a council ticket - private companies don't normally bother with niceties like observation times (and 5 mins is enough, depending on circumstances). Was it on a public road? If so, then it myst be council (though some PPCs have been naughty enough to ticket on such - completely illegal).

If it is a proper council ticket, then your approach will be very different from a private one.

CKhalvashi

The_Slithy_Tove wrote: »

Some councils subcontract their parking enforcement. Where exactly does the ticket tell you to send the payment? Sounds like it could well be a council ticket - private companies don't normally bother with niceties like observation times (and 5 mins is enough, depending on circumstances). Was it on a public road? If so, then it myst be council (though some PPCs have been naughty enough to ticket on such - completely illegal).

If it is a proper council ticket, then your approach will be very different from a private one.

It’s a council ticket, written by a PPC. I’m hoping to get this sorted tomorrow. Payment is to be made to EHDC; I know this as I’m an EHDC Cllr (which probably makes it worse).

Yes, it was on a public road, Water Lane in Bishop’s Stortford (is you wanted to have a look). I was in one of our shops on Devoils Lane (opposite).

I wasn’t dangerously parked or obstructing anything, either.

CK

Orford

CKhalvashi wrote: »

-The ticket has been given by a subcontracted NCP agent, however has an East Herts District Council letterhead on the top (fraud by false representation?!) No, they are issuing tickets on behalf of the council

-The car was observed from 14.19 to 14.24. This is five minutes, I thought the minimum was 15/20 minutes?
You are allowed 20 mins max to load/unload on a SYL, but that doesn't mean a CEO has to wait 20 mins before issuing a ticket if there is no loading activity

-I’ve parked on a single yellow with several signs, however one of the signs has been bent backwards (which coincidently was the one closest to my car) Possible grounds for appeal (but slim)

-It’s bank holiday today, isn’t it?
Restrictions still apply unless the sign says otherwise

-The cars in the street I’ve parked on were ticketed, the cars parked on the next road (which also has single yellows down both sides) weren’t.

Irrelevant, they were lucky - you weren't

dacouch

Parking Arrangements for Spring Bank Holiday (4 June) and Diamond Jubilee Holiday (5 June)
Guidelines for parking your vehicle

On-street parking
Parking restrictions will be enforced on Monday 4 June and Tuesday 5 June.

Civil Enforcement Officers will be on-street throughout this period

http://www.eastherts.gov.uk/index.jsp?articleid=25905

give_them_FA

It sounds like a fair cop I am afraid; parking restrictions do not recognise bank holidays, usually. And five minutes is normal observation on a SYL.

However, there could be some flaw in the ticket; this is quite common.

TrickyWicky

Orford wrote: »

You are allowed 20 mins max to load/unload on a SYL, but that doesn't mean a CEO has to wait 20 mins before issuing a ticket if there is no loading activity

There is NO LIMIT (unless specified on the sign) as to how long you have to un/load on a yellow line. It's a common misconception that you have upto 20 minutes to park there and perform loading activities but this is wrong. It was a rumour floated around in the early years of YLs thats never gone away and keeps being wrongly passed on by people like you.

As long as the loading activity is continous and regular then there is no limit unless signposted. There is however often a limit in loading bays in busy areas as they can be in heavy demand. Likewise loading bays can be restricted to commercial goods vehicles only.

I'm an ex CEO so used to enforce this stuff on a daily basis (and yes its a crap job but at least you can help people on forums like this).

TrickyWicky

CKhalvashi wrote: »

I know this as I’m an EHDC Cllr (which probably makes it worse).

Indeed. The moment you start trying to take the mick based on signs being bent over as you mention in another post and people will start to see you as being corrupt and in bed with the parking boss at the council.

give_them_FA

Yes, I am in total agreement with TW. If you get off this one on any technicality you are likely to be accused of corruption....

CKhalvashi

give_them_FA wrote: »

Yes, I am in total agreement with TW. If you get off this one on any technicality you are likely to be accused of corruption....

The difficult thing here is that it’s been like that for about 5 years, and it’s next to a listed building. I’m a housing specialist, so don’t have any idea why it’s not been done.

I may have a lovely word in the morning about the sign, as there’s nothing else visible from the road. I know I shouldn’t have done it, and wish I’d just parked down Devoils Ln now

Something I am going to state now, is that we both have distinctive registration plates on the cars, so being in bed with the council is obviously not, as they wouldn’t have done it in the first place?! :eek:

mikey72

CKhalvashi wrote: »

The difficult thing here is that it’s been like that for about 5 years, and it’s next to a listed building. I’m a housing specialist, so don’t have any idea why it’s not been done.

I may have a lovely word in the morning about the sign, as there’s nothing else visible from the road. I know I shouldn’t have done it, and wish I’d just parked down Devoils Ln now

Something I am going to state now, is that we both have distinctive registration plates on the cars, so being in bed with the council is obviously not, as they wouldn’t have done it in the first place?! :eek:

5 years? I'd complain to the councillor if I was you.