Parking charge notice on windscreen in car park where ticket machine broken

Tote_2

Hi all,

I'm the registered owner of a car (but not the driver) that was windscreen ticketed on 2/6/13 (10 days ago now). The car was in a Council-provided car park and the charge notice provided by a PPC (Local Parking Security Ltd, BPA-approved operators - second time I've had a run-in with these guys, but that's another story).

The parking charge notice was issued for "Parking without displaying a valid ticket".

The reason why I believe this charge to be unfair is that the payment machine was not working when the car was parked. (On returning to the car, the driver found the parking charge notice and that the machine was now working).

The problem is I/the driver have no evidence. The driver did not photograph the non-working machine nor swap details with other people who were similarly affected.

So, what to do? Is this likely to be considered an valid unfair reason? Is it worth challenging with no evidence? I've successfully challenged an unfair ticket before, so am tempted to appeal directly to the PPC.

I'm a bit confused that the general advice is to ignore, yet this website itself offers advice including making an early appeal to the PPC (and then potentially Popla) - see the 'Fight Private Parking Tickets' article on 5th Feb (can't link as a new user).

Any (sensible ) thoughts on the best way to proceed would be welcomed. These companies are scum :mad:.

Thanks!

Coupon-mad

Tote wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm the registered owner of a car (but not the driver) that was windscreen ticketed on 2/6/13 (10 days ago now). The car was in a Council-provided car park and the charge notice provided by a PPC (Local Parking Security Ltd, BPA-approved operators - second time I've had a run-in with these guys, but that's another story).

The parking charge notice was issued for "Parking without displaying a valid ticket".

The reason why I believe this charge to be unfair is that the payment machine was not working when the car was parked. (On returning to the car, the driver found the parking charge notice and that the machine was now working).

The problem is I/the driver have no evidence. The driver did not photograph the non-working machine nor swap details with other people who were similarly affected.

So, what to do? Is this likely to be considered an valid unfair reason? Is it worth challenging with no evidence? I've successfully challenged an unfair ticket before, so am tempted to appeal directly to the PPC.

I'm a bit confused that the general advice is to ignore, yet this website itself offers advice including making an early appeal to the PPC (and then potentially Popla) - see the 'Fight Private Parking Tickets' article on 5th Feb (can't link as a new user).

Any (sensible ) thoughts on the best way to proceed would be welcomed. These companies are scum :mad:.

Thanks!

I am confused as to why you think that 'ignore' these vermin is the current advice here because it hasn't been for months, at least regarding England & Wales.

But you do not respond to any windscreen PCN from a PPC - always wait for the Notice to Keeper (unless it's a company/hire car) as they may never send any letters or they will probably send a non-compliant one.

When you get the letter over a month later, then compare it to this checklist:

http://www.parkingcowboys.co.uk/keeper-liability/

...and in the meantime read up on the current threads about appeals and POPLA as that's what you'll need to know about. Do not word the challenges without reading up on it as you mustn't imply who was driving nor do a weak 'repeat appeal' for POPLA. We have loads of examples of strong POPLA appeals and 'first stage short challenges for the vermin' on current threads on here - honestly I can only think you've read old threads from 2012 or older = pointless.

Happy reading of current threads (ANY PPC!!) and relax, we haven't lost at POPLA since learnt what to appeal on. The broken machine will be one of several points.

Tote_2

Thanks C_M. I'll sit tight and start reading through stuff. As you say there seem to be many areas where the PPC can slip up. Irrespective of the fact that there wasn't a working ticket machine, I've also spotted that the name of the car park *may* be incorrect on the PCN (certainly compared to how it is listed on the council's website). I'll check out the signs and take picture if so.

Pita to come home from an overseas work trip to this though.

Coupon-mad

When you get thepostal notice to keeper, this thread explains what to do:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...a#post61647745

Do not say who was driving, write the first challenge as shown, either a short or a longer one, not takling about 'what happened' either.

At POPLA stage you'll need a different stronger appeal so read other threads & learn from them in readiness but do ask for help before POPLA stage.