PPS Plymouth Athenaeum (again)

Carowner

The driver of my car believed they had complied with the "rules" when parking here recently. However on their return they found they had outstayed their welcome!

When approaching the car park there are several huge blue and white signs outside stating in large capital letters - P CAR PARK OPEN £1.00 PER HOUR. The board with the payment machine on it displays the tariff adjacent to where the money is to be inserted.

The driver parked and paid for four hours (£4.00). Returning 3 hours and 35 minutes later they found a parking charge notice on the driver's window.

Apparently there are 'short term' (i.e. up to 3 hours) spaces within the car park. These are numbered with paint on the floor. For the most part they are not easy to identify e.g. if parked on then the numbers on the floor cannot be seen and what paint there is for the most part is well worn. They are referred to on some printed signs - but again these are in very small print and far from obvious. The majority of the signs are either very low and can be hidden by parked vehicles or very high - well above eye line and all have tiny print). Also I am fairly certain that if someone parked there at night it would be difficult to read any of the signs as I could find no lighting near them.

Having read some information in this forum (for which I am very grateful) I shall be doing the following.

The parking charge notice will not be paid. As the registered keeper I await the notice to keeper, NTK, letter. I am considering making a 'soft' appeal then to the company involved (PPS of Newton Abbot) and will request a POPLA code should this be unsuccessful. I shall see what steps are necessary after that.

Any advice from other members would be welcome especially if they have experience with the same company or any suggestions for a course of action.

Many thanks.

Guys_Dad

Your soft appeal is easy as you have a good case. The bays had faded paint and the small notices were non BPA compliant. You paid the relevant charge. Agree or POPLA code.

Then we help with a POPLA appeal that will have the usual killer points as well as the specific ones that you genuinely have.

Fergie76

Is this the car park on the left of the council one at the back of Walkabouts and the Casino?

Stroma

Who is the parking company involved ?

Lala1066

I think PPS is Premium Parking Solutions, they run a few car parks in Plymouth. Methodist Central just appointed them. They have a big bit on their website about all the court cases they won and how you should never follow advice on forums blogs or money saving websites so I assume they take a look.

Stroma

Complete lies of course as they have never been to court, proof of this are on various freedom of information requests

Lala1066

I think they have got some court cases recorded 16 last year I believe. Sorry Typo Premier Parking solutions - will teach me not to stop typing when little people come down the stairs oops

Stroma

I take that back they have been to court 16 times, but bear in mind how many tickets they issue that doesn't go there

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/168158/response/413891/attach/3/AFINAL%20REPLY%20TO%20LEWIS%2084035.doc

Lala1066

Well they obviously give a lot of BS to the people they manage to sell their services too. I was voicing my concern at Methodist Central Hall where my youngest goes to nursery, and was told that I was talking rubbish the charges were always legally enforceable and would hurt credit ratings and stop people getting mortgages or credit. I gave up at that point and decided we would walk even in the rain.

Stroma

Basically misinformed folk who has absolutely no idea what they talking about, or they been listening to these idiots! We know exactly what these are, going to popla with a challenge of the pre estimate of loss wins 100% of the time.

Lala1066

Tried explaining all of that but it fell on deaf ears. Was told not to worry as the PPC would only be called in if there was a repeated offender who ignored notes left on cars in the first instance by the church. They won't routinely patrol. Still wouldn't trust a PPC further than I could throw one though. Even went as far as suggesting that they came here and took a look ho hum.