Motorway service station car park congested, could not leave in time

Fuzzy_2

Hi


I stopped at Gordano services last Friday afternoon M5 southbound. The motorway traffic was slow moving, so I took a break. I got in my car to leave within the 2 hour parking limit, but the queue to leave was lengthy and very slow moving. I ascertain it took 30-45 minutes to get out and back onto the motorway.
Today I received a parking fine, stating that I had overstayed by 35 minutes. I don't have any proof of the queues, is there anything I can do to avert this fine/charge? I would imagine that there could a few motorists who have been caught out that afternoon.


Thanks in advance

Marktheshark

Start by reading the newbies thread at the top of the parking forum.
Everything you need to know is right there.

Herzlos

You can point out that queuing to leave a car park doesn't count as parking (there's a small claims court judge you can quote on that, but you'd have to search on here for it). I'd complain to the motorway services and the local press; of course the PPC will know about the congestion, but it's still in their interests to issue the invoices like confetti. They'll usually back down when the press take an interest because it'd make them look bad otherwise.

Northlakes

Just tell the PPC that any obligations under a perceived contract were discharged by frustration.

HO87

And guess who operate the car parks at Gordano? Our dear friends PE.

They must make a mint out of the Friday afternoon queues that have been a feature of this section of the M5 - especially in the warmer months - for the last 20 years to my certain knowledge. Not helped by the seemingly incessant need for the HA to be digging it up - particularly over the Avon bridge - just north of the services.

As Herzlos has said queuing to exit is not parking. Make sure you read through the Newbies thread and then appeal to PE. They will as a matter of course reject that appeal but will supply a POPLA code. Armed with that you can make a full POPLA appeal - as guided in the Newbies thread. Make sure you emphasise the fact that PE do not have authority to act on the land and request that they produce evidence of that. There have been a number of appeal upheld in the last few days decided on this very point as it seems that regardless of their experience PE simply will not produce their contracts to POPLA.

esmerobbo

Has the photo been manipulated so you cant see a queue? I am asking as I got one cancelled which had been, which was a similar incident but a different services.
Luckily in this case the recipient got out and took a picture of the queue which was caused by an accident. However the picture was cropped just to show the rear of the car.

The_Deep

Problem solved

http://parking-prankster.blogspot.no/2014/04/transcript-donated-approved-judgment.html

Fuzzy_2

Hi
Thank you for all your helpful replies.
Just another quick question before I send in my appeal; is it worth using AA legal services with this?
Would they add any further clout to my appeal? Has anyone used them in this type of situation?


Sorry that was 3 questions!

Northlakes

Rather than use the legal services of the AA (who with respect have less knowledge on PPC's than the experts here, not myself included I might add) I would complain to the local trading standards.

It might be a forlorn hope they will actually do something but this charge I would allege is obtaining pecuniary advantage by misrepresentation. This PCN is a disgrace and should also be reported to the Department of Transport who lease land to this operator.

Ivor_Pecheque

Here's the transcript... http://nebula.wsimg.com/c289944f81b4afb375a97d05d5a80df6?AccessKeyId=4CB8F2392A09CF228A46&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

fisherjim

It really is about time these ANPR [STRIKE]parking managemen[/STRIKE]t cash collection cameras are outlawed!