ParkingEye trying to fine for free 20 min period

Beanz1970

Hello, my mum received a notification of fine from Parkingeye when she came to collect me after a stay in hospital. The signs clearly state, at the hospital (Macclesfield General) that the first 20 minutes are free for drop off and collection. Their notification clearly states she was there for 13 minutes. Why are they even trying to invoice her??! She wrote back to appeal, stating she was within the free 20 minutes but they have dismissed the appeal as she 'hadn't provided evidence' that she was entitled to be there??! Now I'm sure the hospital can confirm I was discharged that day, but doors she have to 'show evidence' in this was way? 'Prove' she was entitled to be there? I've never heard of a more ridiculous argument, 20 mins free is 20 mins free surely??!!!! Next stage is POPLA appeal, should she have to go through all this, she's 71 for goodness sake! Advice most welcomed please

Redx

te NEWBIES sticky thread tell you what to do about this

also complain to PALS at the hospital and insist on a cancellation

make sure your popla appeal gets there before the expiry date
base it on legal arguments, not mitigation (they dont allow mitigation)

Fruitcake

Definitely complain to the hospital/PALS and the local press a well.


Meanwhile you need to construct a PoPLA appeal. Parking lie have to prove to PoPLA your mum wasn't entitled to park there, but they are not a reasonable company to deal with.


As above, follow the guidance in the NEWBIES thread and post your PoPLA appeal here for checking before you submit it. Include the usual appeal points such as no GPEOL, inadequate signage, no standing, and add that the event never happened as the driver was parked for less than the free 20 minute period allowed as shown by parking lie's own paperwork.

fisherjim

The hospital car parking policy clearly states this:

Free drop off zones are available for up to a maximum of 20 minutes
and are situated outside main entrances and clinic areas.
These spaces may be used for dropping off/collecting a visitor or patient or
an emergency visit whilst equipment is being loaded/offloaded.
Parking in these areas for longer than 20minutes is an infringement of the
Car Parking Policy and a Parking Charging Notice (PCN) will be issued for exceeding the maximum waiting time.

East Cheshire NHS Trust
Car Parking Policy V0.4 Sept 2014

Providing you parked in the designated area I can't see why the idiot has ticketed you.
Definitely complain to PALS as fruitcake says.


The full policy is here, and I see they think they can issue a penalty as per page 4:
http://www.eastcheshire.nhs.uk/About-The-Trust/policies/C/Car%20parking%20policy%20ECT2088.pdf

Beanz1970

Thanks for the advice. I've told her to ring the hospital. I will write the appeal and post it, but she will no doubt have already said "I" only parked for 13 minutes while picking up my daughter and not said "the driver", how would this affect things?

bazster

Beanz1970 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. I've told her to ring the hospital. I will write the appeal and post it, but she will no doubt have already said "I" only parked for 13 minutes while picking up my daughter and not said "the driver", how would this affect things?

Not at all, if she's only said it to the hospital. They will not pass it on to PE!

Beanz1970

No she will have said it to PE when she disputed the fine 😔

bazster

It's not a fine.

What exactly do the signs say?

Has she complained to PALS yet?

Sound like a slam-dunk win at PoPLA, but the wording of the signs would be good to see.

If it were me I would also write back to ParkingEye pointing out that there is such a thing as patient confidentiality, that she is under no obligation to reveal who she was picking up from the hospital or why, and if ParkingEye believes she was not there for bona fide business it's up to them to prove it. Make the same points to PALS.

Frankly it's such a nonsense I would also write a strongly-worded letter of complaint to the trust's CEO, and to my MP also.

Beanz1970

She's tried ringing but every time she gets put through to 'department that deals with parking fines' no one answers. We're of to Florida in a few hours so hoping to sort via the internet.

Thanks for advice so far, it's a ludicrous situation.

ColliesCarer

She needs to ask to be put through to PALS (who are part of the Customer Care Team) not the department that deals with parking fines - PALS should deal with them for her - or you could contact them on her behalf as you were the patient being picked up.

The following contact details may be useful
care manager Sue Fleet
Customer care team: 01625 661111 or 01625 661449
or Textphone: 01625 663723
or email: ecn-tr.CustomerCareService@nhs.net