Threatened with court action, £900+ of private parking tickets

The_Blue_Dragon

Hi People,
I was born with Arthritis meaning I have to use an electric wheelchair and have a motability car. I was told by many people that it didn't matter if I got a parking ticket on private land so didn't bother updating my Blue Badge (I have now though).

Well I received tickets from Meadowhall Shopping centre and just ignored them like I were told. Well this has now backfired and I cad a call from Parking Control Management saying I owe them £900+ in parking tickets and if I don't get it sorted today they will take me to court.

What can I do? I admit I have been lazy and cocky parking without my blue badge up so please help me. Do I need to contact a solicitor?

Redx

I suspect you would win in court, especially with help from trubster

link 1) have a read through this thread https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4733390

link 2) and this one too https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4652641

link 3 ) and this one https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4839418

also bear in mind a BB has no legal validity on private land, so you really need to try and comply with parking rules at meadowhall or any other private parking car park (on private land)

but you are covered by the EQUALITY ACT 2010 so should contact the Meadowhall staff and get these tickets cancelled

also read this thread too https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4816822

4consumerrights

Is this letter a proper letter before action/county court claim or another "please pay me now letter or legal action MAY commence"

A formal letter before action needs responding to within 14 days or else they can just issue court papers - check daisy's sticky thread for what should be included to comply with Practice Directions and Pre-Action Conduct.

You should also be contacting Meadowhall directly to get these parking charges cancelled - angry loyal customer, disabled, breach of Equality Act - responsible for their agent's actions. There is also no legal right of inspection for validity of blue badges on private land as:
a) the scheme is not recognised and
b)only certain personnel such as police officers and council officials can inspect them (and then only in on-street scenarios)

Trubster has successfully taken on PCM at Meadowhall and posts both here and on Pepipoo. However, there are also several suitable letters following the links in sticky threads - and successful complaints for PCM and Meadowhall.

The_Blue_Dragon

So far I've received the notice to keeper letters which I just ignored then today I received the phone call from a woman at PCM saying the matter needs sorting or they'll take me to court.

I've called Meadowhall and I am waiting for the General Manager to call me back

bod1467

So in other words they've tried to put the "frighteners" on you. You are nowhere near court yet. Follow 4cr's advice.

4consumerrights

A mistake to let the PPC know your phone number!

So you haven't received any formal letters regarding court action then.
When were the Notices to Keepers issued - are you still within time to appeal some of them.

Do they mention POFA and keeper liability and contain the requisite information to pursue the keeper? You can check out what is required in the newbie thread or post up one of them redacting personal info for checking.

The_Blue_Dragon

I don't know where they got my number though. No idea if Motability gave it them or if it's listed on DVLA

fivetide

Ask them assuming they call again. Might well be another thing to add to the list - harassment and illegally obtaining your number. Hang up after and keep a note if they carry on calling.

Redx

motability keep the V5C document (log book) so they are probably down as RK , in which case we would assume they have named you as driver , but although they may have your phone number its unlikely that the DVLA would

not sure that its legal for Motability to give out your phone number, just your address , so I suppose it depends if your phone number is ex-directory

although you said PCM phoned you up, I would have thought it more likely to be debt recovery that traced your phone number and phoned you up

remember to quote the EA2010 at meadowhall, as you are a protected person and dont need a BB to prove it, many people with a disability dont even own a BB

The_Blue_Dragon

The Duty Manager just called me to state that as my tickets go back to the beginning of last year I need to prove that I am eligible for a blue badge. I've not had one for 3years as I've never bothered with it after been told that private parking tickets aren't anything to worry about. Their scare tactics have worked as my heart is beating like a runaway train

4consumerrights

Has it gone to debt recovery yet though - the OP has confirmed all he's received are the NtK's and then a telephone call.

How are the letters addressed - there have been a number of cases where they are sent to Registered Keeper c/o Motobility Finance.

There are interenet sites that also provide telephone numbers so possibly this is how they obtained your number even if you are ex-directory.