Parking eye fine for entering a carpark for 14 minutes

itsdayv

Hi! I wonder if anyone can give me some advice? I've read through some of the other parking eye threads but i'm still not sure what to write or what action to take.

I've received a fine from Parking Eye. Here's what happened:

On July 26th we pulled into a carpark outside a church as we were trying to work out where we were going. We were stationary for a while trying to work out where we were when a vicar came over and warned us (nicely!) that if we didn't have a ticket the cameras would give us an automatic fine. We immediately turned around and left the (empty) carpark.

We got a fine/letter when we got home which shows we were in the carpark for 14 minutes! We didn't even leave the car so in theory we didn't park?

Does anyone have any advice for what approach to take in a letter to them? I mean, we didn't even park there or leave the car. We were only there from 08.34.52sec till 8.49.02secs.
Any advice would be amazing, thanks!

Guys_Dad

PPCs do have to provide a period of grace to enable you to either change your mind or read the signs. The BPA web site is clear on that, but do not specify the time.

Take a look over the first 2 pages of this forum and look for a thread started by IT Guy. On page 2 he has a number of signs from a different parking company but they give 15 minutes grace to motorists at the Peel Centre.

You might like in your soft appeal to the PPC to enclose one of his relevant photos and suggest to Parking Eye that this is a reasonable time to allow and hope they agree. If not, then you want a POPLA code so that you can argue the point at POPLA.

Umkomaas

In fact your departure after speaking to the vicar would mean you had considered the implications of you parking there and had decided it was not for you. Exactly what the 'grace period' was designed for.

itsdayv

Hiya, thank you for the quick replies. I am unsure how to format the letter to challenge parking eye, does anyone have any examples?
thanks

itsdayv

I have been reading throug the posts on here and this one was at the same location; I cant post links yet...the title of the postis 'what if i was in the wrong?'

They have been advised to ignore the fine, should we just ignore it as well?

nigelbb

Nobody is advised to ignore PCNs from Parking Eye any more since they started taking people who ignored them to court. Take the advice that you already had from Guys Dad & appeal. Forget about the specific car park just look at the myriad recent threads on Parking Eye PCNs for what to do.

Guys_Dad

Yes, just do an appeal to PE based on what you wrote in post 1, stressing the time involved and the vicar, drawing a parallel to the other site I mentioned, ask for a cancellation or a POPLA code. You might also ask, if they turn it down, what they consider is a reasonable period of grace.

Please come back on here when you get their reply, successful or otherwise as either will help us for future reference.

Umkomaas

Guys_Dad wrote: »

Yes, just do an appeal to PE based on what you wrote in post 1, stressing the time involved and the vicar, drawing a parallel to the other site I mentioned, ask for a cancellation or a POPLA code. You might also ask, if they turn it down, what they consider is a reasonable period of grace.

Please come back on here when you get their reply, successful or otherwise as either will help us for future reference.

I agree with GD - heavens above, tell them about the vicar's advice, pray him in aid, but don't expect miracles, remind them that the grace period is exactly what you used it for, a time for reflection on their contractual offering, from which, following devine intervention, you decided to abstain.

Peace be with them!

I'll get my coat

itsdayv

thank you so much for your help. much appreciated!

Guys_Dad

Umkomaas wrote: »

I agree with GD - heavens above, tell them about the vicar's advice, pray him in aid, but don't expect miracles, remind them that the grace period is exactly what you used it for, a time for reflection on their contractual offering, from which, following devine intervention, you decided to abstain.

Peace be with them!

I'll get my coat

Shame it wasn't Wing parking and then you could have had a Wing & a prayer.

itsdayv

Hiya,

I sent off the appeal to Parking Eye and they denied my appeal and sent a POPLA code. Just wondered if you had any advice for filling out the POPLA form, or should I just write the same info as in my appeal to parking eye?

Thanks

Dave