APCOA Parking Notice - should I ignore, but I still want to use the car park

flat_four

I use an APCOA station car park once a week or so and pay by text. The other day I just got on the train and quite simply forgot to send it, and had a notice (just a notice, not a penalty) under the wiper when i returned.

My own fault, not denying that at all. But they want £50!

The daily parking is only £7.50...

£50 seems pretty huge to me, it's not like I don't pay every week, and I claim it back anyway so me not paying gains me nothing, there's no reason for me to try and cheat. I'll happily pay the charge they missed out on for that day, but I can't see why anything more is fair.

From reading other threads here it sounds like these parking notices aren't enforced, but I still want to use this car park, with this car, almost every week - so if I do just ignore the notice couldn't they just spot the number plate and bring out the clamps?!

Grateful for any advice....

ManxRed

Clamping on private land without lawful authority is illegal now, however there is a small risk that APCOA might try it thinking (wrongly) that they do have legal authority. However it would be legal on two counts - the fact that clamping is illegal, and the fact that you cannot seize goods in lieu of a purported debt without a court warrant.

So they'd be bloody stupid to try it.

I would look to offer the Train Operating Company the £7.50 in full and final settlement - don't contact APCOA though.