Car Parking Fine - Debt Collectors

ThaBigBoss

First of all, apologies if I have posted this in the wrong section. I tried to post it in the Citizen's Advice forum, however, it would not allow me to.

A few months ago I was wrongly awarded a car parking ticket in a private car park despite the fact that I was complying with all the regulations (had a valid ticket, parked in correct space etc.). I never received any correspondence from the issuers Car Parking Partnership until last week where I was sent a 'final warning' letting informing me that I had a week to pay the fine or they would be passing my details on to the debt collectors.

Having phoned up the Car Parking Partnership I was informed that I can no longer appeal the fine as I would have had to do this within 14 days of receiving the first letter (which I never received!). I explained to the woman on the phone that I had photographic evidence that I had a valid ticket and that I never received the initial 2 letters, however, she said that none of this matter and there was nothing I now do in terms of appealing.

She informed me that I have to pay the £75 fine or my case will be passed on the debt collectors (PS&P) which could lead to further costs.

Does anyone know the best course of action to take? Obviously I don't want to pay the CCP £75 for an offence I didn't commit, especially when they are claiming that they sent me 2 letters which I never received, and now I apparently have no right of appeal (which seems crazy considering I have evidence that I had a valid ticket). I've never had to deal with debt collectors before and unsure how they operate.

If anyone has any advice it would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

wealdroam

Should be in The Parking Tickets, Fines & Parking Board.

pogofish

You should repost this in a new thread on the Parking Tickets board - Car Parking Partnership are well know there and you will get all the advice you need to deal with this properly.

CAB is about the worst place you could ask about private parking tickets as their official advice has been found wanting on many occasions.

unholyangel

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=163

Thats a board dedicated to parking tickets/fines Perhaps if you PM a board guide, they can move your thread over for you.

PZH

ThaBigBoss wrote: »

First of all, apologies if I have posted this in the wrong section. I tried to post it in the Citizen's Advice forum, however, it would not allow me to.

Try posting on the The Parking Tickets, Fines & Parking Board

ThaBigBoss wrote: »

A few months ago I was wrongly awarded a car parking ticket in a private car park despite the fact that I was complying with all the regulations (had a valid ticket, parked in correct space etc.). I never received any correspondence from the issuers Car Parking Partnership until last week where I was sent a 'final warning' letting informing me that I had a week to pay the fine or they would be passing my details on to the debt collectors.

If it is a Private car park, then it will NOT be a fine - it will be an invoice. Have a look on the parking board - you'll see the overwhelming response is to ignore these types of tickets.

But, make sure it is not a Council Issued or Police Issued ticket.

Have a read here... http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/private-parking-tickets

ThaBigBoss wrote: »

Having phoned up the Car Parking Partnership....

Total waste of time and effort in my opinion...

ThaBigBoss wrote: »

She informed me that I have to pay the £75 fine or my case will be passed on the debt collectors (PS&P) which could lead to further costs.

It's NOT a fine

ThaBigBoss wrote: »

Does anyone know the best course of action to take?....

Read the Parking Ticket Board and ignore all future letters....

unholyangel

phoodless wrote: »

Try posting on the The Parking Tickets, Fines & Parking Board



If it is a Private car park, then it will NOT be a fine - it will be an invoice. Have a look on the parking board - you'll see the overwhelming response is to ignore these types of tickets.

But, make sure it is not a Council Issued or Police Issued ticket.

Have a read here... http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/private-parking-tickets




Total waste of time and effort in my opinion...



It's NOT a fine



Read the Parking Ticket Board and ignore all future letters....

Last I looked in on that board, POPLA wasnt yet in but it was close and people were hopeful......a quick look at the POPLA appeals thread tells me its been a huge disappointment. The very first judgement being against unfair contract terms by disguising a penalty as a contractual option - which cannot make such a term fair according to OFT.

I dont understand how they can hire assessors that lack even the basic knowledge. More of the "says so in the T&C's so you're stuffed" brigade. :wall:

arcon5

Even appealing to POPLA is a bit pointless since these 'fines' have been exposed as unenforceable. People over there are doing so more so because if the parking company loose they have to pay a small fee each time.

The general advice across the other board is to simply ignore it.

longtimelurkersam

Actually they pay £27+VAT for EVERY appeal no matter whether the appellant wins or loses. The initial logic to appeal was to cost the PPC money and see how the appeals process, which was expected to be somewhat flawed worked, but there have been many lessons learnt since the early appeals and with the good support of some fabulous posters on the board we are seeing more and more success.