APCOA Parking fine

Hammysbar

Hi. A few weeks back I received a fine for parking at my local park and ride (which used to be free) in Sunderland (stadium of light) for not displaying a ticket. Basically I did not know it had changed to a pay and display car park and as I was in a hurry I have drove straight past the sign and parked up. Where I was parked there were no signs and as stated earlier I was in a hurry so I ran past the pay and display machine in order to catch my metro.
On my return I have found a £30 parking enforcement notice from apcoa (if I pay within 14 days). I was gutted as it was only £1.60 for the entire day and I would have paid it if I knew.
I sent off an appeal the next day (with pictures showing no signs near my car) but now they obviously know my name and address. I have however heard nothing back regarding this. I have tried on several occasions to speak with one of the customer service agents but have been on hold for over 30 mins each time. When I eventually got through I was told it could take up to 65 days for the appeal to be looked at but there was nothing on their system to say my letter had been received. The agent then said he would check manually and the line went dead. I am very aware that if you don't make the payment within 14 days then it doubles to £60.
I know that a lot of forums say that I shouldn't pay this but I am at fault aren't I?
Thanks

muckybutt

Technically you were at fault yes - but .....if its a private car park as opposed to a council run car park they cannot penalise you that is law.

All you owe them is £1.60 not a penny more.

Did the ticket mention anything about council ? as apcoa do ... I think do some council work.... but I may be wrong

Hammysbar

No mention of council in the notice but it is a metro station car park so I would imagine its council owned. Not sure what to do. I may just pay the £30 for peace of mind

bargepole

Hammysbar wrote: »

Hi. A few weeks back I received a fine ...

No you didn't.

This is an impersonation of authority scam. Private companies can only sue for their actual losses, so how can that be £30 one minute, and £60 the next.

Best thing for peace of mind, as advised in about 240,000,000 threads on here, is to ignore their rubbish.

BTW, why is it called the Stadium of Light? It never actually gets light in Sunderland!

Stephen_Leak

If the car park is owned by the council, or owned by the railway company and issued under Byelaw 14, then that makes a world of difference.

Councils, the police, train operators and Transport for London can impose legally enforceable fines or penalties. PPCs can't.

We really do need to know whether the ticket is a council/railway company or a PPC one. Where does it say to send the money?

Coupon-mad

Hammysbar wrote: »

No mention of council in the notice but it is a metro station car park so I would imagine its council owned. Not sure what to do. I may just pay the £30 for peace of mind

OMG don't be ridiculous! :eek:

Sorry but you surely can't be such a pushover that you can come here to this parking board, learn it's all a scam like phishing emails - and then send the scammers some money! Noooooooooooooooooooo!

If there is no mention of a Council (or Railway Byelaws, or the word PENALTY) on the fake PCN then it matters not if the car park is Council-owned. Like many Council-owned car parks, it will be leased to a private landlord and they have got APCOA in to carry out their protection racket.

It's just a scam, ignore it as long as your vehicle is not a company/ hire or leased car. Your attempt at an appeal was pointless and your time spent on the phone a complete waste of money. When you get their 'rejection letter' and the other letters that follow, just ignore them.

This is not some sort of authority, it's not even a real parking ticket. Peace of mind for gawd's sake, it's only some junk mail!

Tick off the threatening letters Here.

Watchdog clip with expert Solicitor's opinion here.

Barrister's opinion here.

HTH


:eek: