annoyed

whitby_car_park_sucks

hi all, I don't know if anyone can help ,,, I parked in Whitby co.op car park in the summer and as I entered the area my son vomited I drove round parked cleaned him up stood in a que behind 3 people who all struggled with the payment system and I paid to park 2 hours ... 10 days later I got a fine because I didn't pay to park within the 10 mins allowed (it took me 18 /19 mins I don't know why lol )anway I appealed and was refused . I took it to popla ndthey refused me I now have yo pay £90 ..I know this sounds like a sob story but it is true the child was ill I cleaned him up paid to park for 2 hours and stayed 1.40 popla refused because 20min was to long to clean him n pay ...it was only 18/19 mins and TRUTH .I feel helpless n annoyed ..I actually took him to the doctors the same day because he was so ill

Stroma

Well you probably lost at popla because you used mitigation for the appeal, they do not accept any mitigation, so you've wasted your chance to get this cancelled. But popla decisions are not binding upon the motorist so that can be ignored.

However it may mean that the parking company may try the small claims track, but they must first send you a compliant letter before claim, if you receive one, please come here for help with this. Who by the way is the parking company ? Is it Civil Enforcement Ltd ?

Coupon-mad

whitby_car_park_sucks wrote: »

hi all, I don't know if anyone can help ,,, I parked in Whitby co.op car park in the summer and as I entered the area my son vomited I drove round parked cleaned him up stood in a que behind 3 people who all struggled with the payment system and I paid to park 2 hours ... 10 days later I got a fine because I didn't pay to park within the 10 mins allowed (it took me 18 /19 mins I don't know why lol )anway I appealed and was refused . I took it to popla ndthey refused me I now have yo pay £90 ..I know this sounds like a sob story but it is true the child was ill I cleaned him up paid to park for 2 hours and stayed 1.40 popla refused because 20min was to long to clean him n pay ...it was only 18/19 mins and TRUTH .I feel helpless n annoyed ..I actually took him to the doctors the same day because he was so ill

What a terrible POPLA appeal (sorry). You would have won easily if you'd only asked us! You've come here very late but we can tell you that you do not have to pay.

Keep all the letters that arrive nice and safe, in case CEL try a small claim.

In the meantime read the 'successful complaints about PPCs' sticky thread. I guess you must have missed that one when you read all the sticky information notice threads at the top of the forum before you posted...you know, the NEWBIES READ THIS FIRST! thread and the others...

Go and read the Successful complaints thread NOW and learn how to get the Co-op to flippin' well cancel this rubbish.

No links to sticky threads from me, you must find them and read them on any forum first. The threads with the word 'sticky' next to them.

whitby_car_park_sucks

sorry I can see this now ,,, thanks it was civil enforcement ltd I will look out for sticky notes
')

4consumerrights

According to this newspaper article the car park has a 45 minute free car parking period before paying for additional time - even this vicar was caught out this summer by CEL and has complained to the CEO of COOP:

http://www.whitbygazette.co.uk/news/local/inspirational-vicar-fined-in-co-op-car-park-1-6000060#comments-area

Coupon-mad

The vicar's case is the first one who replied on the 'Successful Complaints' sticky thread.

4consumerrights

Coupon-mad wrote: »

The vicar's case is the first one who replied on the 'Successful Complaints' sticky thread.

I remember reading that success - how silly of me - I didn't connect the two - should really go to bed now !

The article states the 45 minute free time -is this still in force and if so what do the parking signs state - can the OP get photos? With free parking time and paid for 2 hours the OP has not breached any terms!

whitby_car_park_sucks

hi yes the car park company sent popla pics of the signs ..they are small dotted about large orange writing saying free 45 mins then much smaller white writing half way down the sign saying must pay within 10 mins .. popla seen and still said I gotta pay ;( also they have lost the contract I found out yesterday they only had it from about june 12 to oct /nov 13

hoohoo

Follow the vicars example and get the landowner to cancel.

CEL do take people to court, but are famous for not actually turning up if you provide a defence.

You don't have to pay this and CEL would be mad to take you to court for a ticket you paid for.

ITGuy90

I'm a bit confused here. Because their system sucks and they have to queue for so long that it goes over the grace period, this gives them the right to issue a ticket? Crazy!

scousedicko

For what it is worth, CEL were sacked by the Co-op and are now systematically issuing summonses via Northampton CC. There is advice available online on forum and protest pages with images of signs (old and newer) and contacts to find evidence to defend yourself with.
Also, if you suspect you have fallen foul of their "ten minute rule" and decide to defend yourself, respond immediately to the Court, with a denial and write to Cop-op asking them to state clearly if they ever complained to CEL about their conduct, ticket machines, queues at the ticket machines and congestion in the car park (replies asap because the hearing date is quite soon) - I think they'll pay the lot for you. Try it.