£180 charge notice for stopping on private road (Ransomes Industrial/Ipswich)

romik

Hi all,

I got a charge notice from a private firm in Ipswich for stopping on private land (road in an industrial estate). I am a taxi driver and was waiting for a passenger, I had my hazards on and was in the car whilst waiting. I received a letter demanding £180, asking who driver was, etc with images of my car. I later saw a sign that does say the usual info about no trespass, no parking no stopping and penalties to follow. Should I just ignore it or what? The whole thing is so remarkably silly as I was a cab driver picking up a passenger. Or should I go to the local newspaper with this?

withabix

What was the date of the 'offence'?

Mind you, taxi drivers do think they can park anywhere, irrespective on any real traffic restriction...

Hazard warning lights are not a licence to park. If you need to use them because you have deliberately parked (not broken down), you shouldn't have stopped there.

romik

withabix wrote: »

What was the date of the 'offence'?

11 November

Man, I wish we didn't have to stop anywhere, but we pick up you lot where you wait with your bags of shopping, kids, mobility scootets, etc. Ok?

also, I didn't park, I stopped awaiting a pick up.

Ppl get annoyed with cab drivers until the time they need picking up at an inconvenient location to others, then it becomes Ok all of the sudden

societys_child

All that's happened is they've sent you an invoice for £180/ an invitation to pay them. As a private company they can not issue "penalties".

Ignore them.

The_Slithy_Tove

Check put this thread on Pepipoo: http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=74810

Apart from ignoring the invoice (I bet it doesn't ask for driver details, just imposes the "penalty" on the keeper), you must complain to the DVLA about an unlawful request for your details (check the pepipoo thread).

romik

societys_child wrote: »

All that's happened is they've sent you an invoice for £180/ an invitation to pay them. As a private company they can not issue "penalties".

Ignore them.

Thanks.

Just came across this post from a barrister apparently:

" Good. This is a private land fine. They are unenforceable. This is not a parking fine however it may look. These companies are private firms that have no more right to punish you for the manner of your parking than your neighbour does. Only the police or the local Council can do that. These are issued on the basis that you have accepted a contract by parking there and breached it by staying too long. To make that work they would have to hang signs over almost every bay and anyway, they still cannot show loss.!

Unable to post link due to status.

spacey2012

If you were able to drive without hindrance or barrier, then it forms part of the highway regardless of who owns it and they can not issue penalties for driving on the highway, only the police and council can, even on private land !. (court of appeal Dr Richard Dawood VS Camden council )
Not withstanding that they are a two bit scam artists outfit with no legal rights to issue you with anything but an invoice inviting you to pay.
The choice to accept this invitation is yours.
All they can do if you reject the kind offer to give them some money is huff and puff and make empty threats.

romik

Cool. I will be ignoring their invitation in that case. Will let you know what the outcome will be. Cheers!

edit : there are barriers at entry to estate, but they are always up during the day & I believe no signs warning that you are entering private land.

Trebor16

withabix wrote: »

What was the date of the 'offence'?

Mind you, taxi drivers do think they can park anywhere, irrespective on any real traffic restriction...

Hazard warning lights are not a licence to park. If you need to use them because you have deliberately parked (not broken down), you shouldn't have stopped there.

What a stupid comment to make! It is of no use to the OP at all.

ppc_guy

HOLD UP!!! charge for £180... letter sent... how did they get the RK details. The £180 charge far exceeds the BPA's permitted maximum charge. This means they are in breach of BPA guideliens which means the RK request was illegal and forms a breach of the DPA.

ManxRed

In fact, there's a thread on PePiPoo regarding Ransomes (not sure if same place) and the PPC isn't even on the AOS list and they too got the RKs details from the DVLA.

Can the OP tell us who this PPC was (or maybe PPC_Guy knows, given he is familiar with this patch!?)