Chiltern / Met / Roxburghe

Querym

Hi, My husband has an annual ticket with a Chiltern mainline station, has done for 15 years, and never had an issue until the ticket slipped out of view one day, and he received a charge for 2 days which he appealed with evidence of the ticket, and the cowboys refused. Now have a solicitor’s letter demanding £320 or take him to court. Anyone had similar dispute, and what was the outcome? Surely this is a disproportionate sum for 2 days 'failing to properly display'? Especially as he has an annual ticket! Any comments gratefully received!

da_rule

Did he appeal to POPLA as well as to the parking company?

Querym

No, just the company. This is all new to me, so am busily reading the info, just wondered whether this kind of thing was common. Failure to buy a ticket is one thing, but surely an owner of an annual ticket has a fair case??

da_rule

Unfortunately fairness matters little to the cowboys. How long ago did he appeal to the company?

Querym

Unfortunately a while, late last year I think. He lost his Dad and both myself and 4yo daughter had been in hospital, guess he just didn't have cowboy demands at the top of his priority list! I am guessing there was an appeal time limit??

da_rule

Does the letter make reference to Civil Procedure Rules (CPR's) and/or Practice Directions? If so then check out this thread which gives you guidance on how to respond to a letter before claim: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4754020

4consumerrights

Querym wrote: »

Hi, My husband has an annual ticket with a Chiltern mainline station, has done for 15 years, and never had an issue until the ticket slipped out of view one day, and he received a charge for 2 days which he appealed with evidence of the ticket, and the cowboys refused. Now have a solicitor’s letter demanding £320 or take him to court. Anyone had similar dispute, and what was the outcome? Surely this is a disproportionate sum for 2 days 'failing to properly display'? Especially as he has an annual ticket! Any comments gratefully received!

Is this a Gladstone's letter asking for the payment to be made to Roxburghe - if so just check it is the same letter as that on this thread and follow the advice given here -send the letter Daisy wrote.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4896495

I hope your husband waited until a NtK arrived due to relevant land and POFA with regards to railways and bylaws.

You could also complain directly to the customer care/services at the railway citing that there was no loss as annual ticket paid - urge them to cancel these parking charges

Querym

Thank you for this, The letter sounds similar to this thread, asks us to contact Roxburghe Ltd etc...but the image on the linked thread doesn't seem to be there anymore, so I can't fully compare. It's a Gladstone's letter, saying we've been contacted by Roxburghe...and no we haven't...and saying they've been instructed to recover the amounts due. Then gives us the scaremongering tactic of this being on the Judgments Orders and Fines register for 6 years, blah blah. What annoys me is that there was NO loss to the company, he had already paid for his annual ticket, they just could not see it clearly on those two days! Yet there is all the proof they need that he has it. It was bought via Chiltern station office too, can't believe they allow these people to operate like this. Thanks all for your help...really appreciate it

da_rule

When your husband appealed did he identify himself as the driver?

The_Deep

Let us look at this from a layman's point of view. Your husband has a valid ticket. Chiltern have therefore suffered no loss, Gladstone have suffered no loss, Roxburghe have suffered no loss, and the PPC have suffered a small loss.

Do you think therefore that, should they be so unwise as to take you to Count Court, a judge would award them such a ridiculous sum of money?

It is a penalty, penalties are proscribed for breaches of contact in Civil Law, they have to prove losses, which they will be unable to do.

My advice would be to ignore. They will huff, and they will puff, but, at the end of the day, your house will still be standing, and you will have cost them a considerable amount of money.

4consumerrights

@Querym - sounds identical type letter - just follow the advice given on my earlier post. Send the letter as RK.

@The Deep - whilst your analogy regarding loss is accurate - sadly the small claims county court judges do not always see this......

I would not advocate ignoring ANY letter from GLADSTONES as they are the solicitors picking up the tab for all parking companies and involved in the IPC. They are already listed as solicitors on behalf of claimants bringing small claims to court.