Got parking fine, then left the country for 3 months

Josh1993

Hi all,
I got a parking fine from UKPC for not being parked correctly within the markings of the bay or space just over three months ago. I've read the newbie thread but im not sure if it still applies as i was on a scooter for a start and have only seen the fines since i have come back from the states. I received the initial fine, then, 3 months later a letter saying that the charge had been put on hold due to my absence and had also been reduced to £35 from £70. How, in your opinion would be the best way to attend to this?
Thanks
Josh

bod1467

Josh1993 wrote: »

Hi all,
I got a parking invoice from UKPC for not being parked correctly within the markings of the bay or space just over three months ago. I've read the newbie thread but im not sure if it still applies as i was on a scooter for a start and have only seen the invoices since i have come back from the states. I received the initial invoice , then, 3 months later a letter saying that the charge had been put on hold due to my absence and had also been reduced to £35 from £70. How, in your opinion would be the best way to attend to this?
Thanks
Josh

Corrected for accuracy.

Was there not a PCN on the scooter? Or do they allege there was one?

If not then how can an ANPR camera determine a "parked out of bay" offence? This suggests that this was a "man with a camera" situation ... getting details from DVLA in such a circumstance was an abuse of process - POFA only allows DVLA access to keeper details for ANPR PCNs, or where there was initially a windscreen ticket (Notice to Driver).

Was this in England or Wales?
What were the dates of the various notices you've received, and who were they from?
Have YOU contacted them in any way as yet?

Josh1993

Thanks for the reply,
the original notice was 10/09/14 Re. notice to keeper with a photograph of my lambretta parked on the grass in a ukpc, westfield car park in england. My old dear sent a message effectively saying that i was out of the country for a while.
They since sent the second letter on the 9/12/14 thanking for the recent correspondence and suggesting that the parking charge is on hold for 35 days at £35

Josh1993

and thank you for the corrections!

Josh1993

And i have not personally contacted them as yet

bod1467

OK - so it was a "man with a cam" scenario.

I'd be tempted to complain to DVLA about illegal access to keeper details, as they obtained details in contravention to the requirements of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, and as such this is a Data Protection Act breach and also a breach of UKPC's KADOE contract with the DVLA. (Complain also to the ICO about the DPA breach).

As regards UKPC you really have 3 options:

1) Appeal as keeper per the NEWBIES thread. (UKPC may ignore the appeal as they don't have to accept an appeal more than 28 days after their NTK, although you can point out that the latest letter is the first one YOU have received so you are appealing that as keeper as you are aware that THEY know you have been out of the country).

2) If the driver on the day was a different person to the keeper then you can provide the name and address of the driver (rider) and so they can receive their own PCN and appeal it. (This is called resetting the clock in forum-speak).

3) UKPC don't do court (as yet) so you could ignore everything from them and their various debt collector companies, but don't ignore actual court papers (if you did actually receive any).

Josh1993

Thats great, thank you so much for your help, by the sounds of it i think ill appeal it first then reset and ignore as a last resort! I may go down the DVLA route but other than setting the record straight with them i dont think it will help me directly with the invoice, just remind them how to do their job as it were?
Again thanks for the help
Josh

Coupon-mad

Josh1993 wrote: »

Thats great, thank you so much for your help, by the sounds of it i think ill appeal it first then reset and ignore as a last resort! I may go down the DVLA route but other than setting the record straight with them i dont think it will help me directly with the invoice, just remind them how to do their job as it were?
Again thanks for the help
Josh

Definitely send the Newbies thread appeal because often UKPC just fold. As UKPC put the case 'on hold' then IMHO they should give you a POPLA code if they reject. If they don't (after all, that's what I would understand about 'putting it on hold' that the timescale is frozen so you can appeal) you should complain to the BPA.