Recent Parking Ticket Experiences (Northern Ireland)

Skalliwag

OK let me start by saying I have trailed through the Newbie section, FAQs etc etc and I still have questions about a parking charge that was issued to me back in May this year (2015). They are fantastic guidance but very long as no 2 cases are the same. As I understand it Northern Ireland is still relatively safe to put aside these threatening letters and simply ignore them but I am still being harassed 5 months later. The demand for payment was originally £45 for 'no park and share facilities' despite not using the car park for such. They ticketed the car 20 minutes after I arrived so I don't see how they came to that conclusion. I appealed to B&Q but they said they could do nothing about the ticket. The car park is free to park in as well!! I have, rightly or wrongly, ignored all letters so far but the last letter from SCS (Small Claims Solicitors) has got me concerned.

What I would like to hear is first hand experiences from some local people in Northern Ireland that have had dealings with UKPC this year and the methods they used to fight them and their ultimate outcome. How long does it take for these harassing letters and stress to stop. I have searched these forums and found little evidence of success stories as I guess people never come back to update the thread on their experiences. The current demand is for £140 which I simply do not have. Heres hoping this thread will put my mind at ease.

bod1467

NI = no keeper liability. So unless you have communicated with the PPC or debt collectors in any way that "outs" you as the driver then this is going nowhere but threatograms. By the sounds of things you're very near the end.

Iceweasel

Well in Scotland - which has the same law regarding liability as NI - it usually takes around 6 months or so - 5 or 6 letters at approx monthly intervals.

What you are getting now is the PPCs' last ditch attempt to scare you.

Any contact with them whatsoever will indicate to them that you are unsure of the law regarding these ridiculous 'invoices' and threats, so therefore they are likely to continue with more letters - perhaps up to a year from the alleged event.

Continue ignoring and they are totally stuffed.

SevenTowers

All excellent advice, and being from NI myself I can assure you 100% that the letters are all bluff and bluster designed to frighten you into handing your money over to them.

Post 7 in the following link shows you the letter chain used by UKPC, be particularly wary of the "solicitors" letter you will receive, again another template letter that is nothing but hot air and idle threats.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5133531

Remember no PPC has ever taken anyone in N. Ireland to court, all you have to do is sit back, relax, and ignore, ignore, ignore.


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5028071=

Oh, and then ignore some more.....

SevenTowers

And by the way, the reason that you hear so few success stories is that people don't generally come back here to report that nothing has happened, but I can assure you nothing will. If something more did happen then you can be sure that you would read about it on here.


You are at the end of the letter chain - Congratulations!

Skalliwag

Thanks for the reassurance folks. Very interesting and amusing reading there 'SevenTowers' The FOI Request from the Lagan Courts is particularly interesting and bang up to date.

I will certainly try to come back and update the thread with the outcome when I am sure the letters have stopped. Also maybe give a more detailed timeline of letter delivery to help others in the same situation here on our little island with a story from someone like myself who been though this nasty experience.

Cheers.

Honkycat

Is it still the case that we can ignore the charge? I know things change with court rulings etc...