Athena ANPR Ltd

Chris3105

Good Evening,

This evening after work I came home to find a lovely letter from Athena ANPR Ltd. There letter says I have parked in a Lidl car park for longer than the allocated time. I entered their car park at 21:00 which is the time they close. To my knowledge there was no lighting and the signs for the restrictions were not lit. I am going there this evening to have a look and if correct take photos. I have been reading around and have noticed that they have to prove that my parking would be making them a loss. Personally I feel that after they have closed they cannot be making any loss from a car in an empty car park? There is no barrier to stop cars parking here at any time either. They claim it is a 24 hour restriction on health and safety grounds. If this is the case why is their car park not lit when it has curbs and speed bumps?

Just requesting some help from the knowledgeable people on here. I am seeing that POPLA are the most likely and useful way after a weak appeal attempt and not to mention appeal in any correspondences.

Thanks for any help!

Chris

taffy056

Why appeal or contact them at all ? If you are the RK of the vehicle just ignore them, this is a proven method of dealing with parking companies , and it's why we advocate it here.

The_Slithy_Tove

Ah, good ol' 'Elf 'n' Safety, the universal excuse so often used for all sorts of abuse, lack of action or general obstruction. Just like the chage notice itself, it's all complete b******s, and, as you've realised, is not at all enforceable.

Do appeal on some spurious grounds if you fancy costing them money when it goes to POPLA.

Chris3105

So from your reply I am guessing an appeal to POPLA would most likely be successful? I'd love to get one up on them!

taffy056

Chris3105 wrote: »

So from your reply I am guessing an appeal to POPLA would most likely be successful? I'd love to get one up on them!

The appeal to popla is likely to fail as the grounds of appeal are so narrow it hasn't been determined yet what they will consider. This is how independent popla is , it's owned by the bpa, they have setup the grounds of appeal, the bpa is a trade body for parking companies, the owners of said parking companies are directors in the bpa, the parking companies fully fund the bpa. The bpa are paid from the parking companies for each popla appeal, they then pay popla who are in reality them. Popla is run independently yes ? Me don't think so

Coupon-mad

Chris3105 wrote: »

So from your reply I am guessing an appeal to POPLA would most likely be successful? I'd love to get one up on them!

What we have found is that most PPCs don't want to have their rubbish excuses for fake PCNs exposed to POPLA.

People have sent even the most basic appeal to the PPC but also made it clear that they know about POPLA and want the verification code if the PPC reject.

Hey presto, the PPC cancel!

In fact it matters not what POPLA say at all as it's only binding on the PPC, not on the motorist! So a failed POPLA appeal is still good, as it costs the PPC money and then you can safely revert to 'ignore mode'!

taffy056

By the way popla is binding on the parking companies but not the motorists, so if you go there you can continue to ignore the parking company after

Chris3105

Thanks a lot for the help so far! Have you got any advice for the appeal to POPLA? I see that in any contact not to use the word 'appeal' I also saw somewhere someone said that there was advice areas on writing to POPLA but have been unable to locate, any ideas?

Thanks

hoohoo

Here is the appeal to the PPC, which essentially is just to let them know you will go straight to POPLA then ignore anyway if POPLA is not in your favour. Most PPCs seem to be caving in, as Coupon Mad points out, at this point.


Dear [ppc],

Following advice from the moneysavingexpert forum, I wish to appeal for all possible reasons against the invoice you have sent me.

I will not be providing more details or entering into further communication with you. I require you to acknowledge this communication within 14 days, and either cancel the invoice, or provide me with a POPLA code within 35 days, or you will automatically be deemed to have accepted my appeal.


If this doesn't work (but it most likely will) come back in a month to get help with your POPLA appeal.

If it does work, come back with your success story

Chris3105

Hi All,

Thought I'd update you with how things are. Got a letter from Athena today and surprise surprise they rejected the appeal. Pretty poor from them that they include pictures of their signage during the day pointing it out but not at night which it was when I parked. I also now have photos of the car park and their signs unlit which should be useful.

The annoying part is that the scum that they are haven't given me any information or details on or for POPLA. Anyone got advice on how to handle this? Aren't they meant to include it? There isn't so much as a mention of it in the letter!

Thanks

Chris

The_Slithy_Tove

Chris3105 wrote: »

The annoying part is that the scum that they are haven't given me any information or details on or for POPLA. Anyone got advice on how to handle this? Aren't they meant to include it? There isn't so much as a mention of it in the letter!

A complaint to the DVLA for breaching the BPA CoP would probably be in order. But first, you need to be certain, by replying to Athena, asking them if you have exhausted their appeals process, and if so, can you have a POPLA reference so you can take your appeal to them. That way, you will be able demonstrate that they are deliberately denying you your "rights" if they then refuse.

Edit: If Athena or their debt collectors send any further demands, then they are definitely in breach right away.