Paid for parking at QA Hospital (PCP Enforcement Agency) but still got a PCN

jtsouths

Hi all,
My car was parked in a parking bay while my mother (94 and in a wheelchair but not Blue Badge holder)) was taken to an appointment at QA Hospital in Portsmouth. It seems the road (within the hospital grounds) in which the vehicle was parked was closed (but access was still possible).

The vehicle was parked in a marked parking bay and sufficient payment was made at the ticket machine for the duration of the stay (a ticket was placed on display in the vehicle).

Nevertheless a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) was placed on the vehicle's windscreen with the reason for issue being OTHER> A+E Road Closed.

Other vehicles were parked in adjacent bays and all had received PCNs.
The Parking Charge is £100, £60 if paid within 14 days.
Issue date 19/02/2016

FYI - several drivers are insured on this vehicle.

I have read the "Newbies!" thread and identified PCP as Accredited Operators on the IPC scheme but I feel that as parking was (and can be shown to be) paid for the duration of the stay and the payment meters were not marked as "out of service" there may be better grounds to appeal the PCN.

Incidentally, the deadline for appeal is 19/02/2016 + 21 days = 11/03/2016

Thank you very much for any advice/help you can offer.
Please forgive the impersonal tone - I'm conscious of keeping driver details confidential!

Redx

correct, never identify the driver

IPC IAS appeals tend to fail but you never know

either way it could be your relative is covered by the EA2010 and also the NHS guidelines issued by Jeremy Hunt too

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles

so whatever you do about the PPC appeal (always appeal to the PPC anyway) and any subsequent IAS appeal , you should be complaining to the trsut or PALS and getting it cancelled by the landowner, never mind their "agents" the contractor we call the PPC

go to the organ grinder and have a go at their jugular, quoting the guidelines and maybe the EA2010 (the BB isnt required by the EA2010)

Guys_Dad

Unless there were signs specifically saying that parking was not permitted temporarily or any other proper wording, then the PPC will need the service of the hospital as it appears that they don't have a leg to stand on.

It would help enormously if the road was still closed and you could get photos. Also photos of any entrance to hospital signs re parking. A picture paints 1000 words etc and all that.

jtsouths

Thanks everyone.
I'll let you know any developments.

jtsouths

Hi everyone, as promised an updated...
I sent by email the following to the relevant person at the hospital:

[Parking Charge Notice – QAH 19/02/2016
Dear Mr xx,
On 19 February 2016 my vehicle was parked at Queen Alexandra Hospital and received a parking charge notice. This occurred during a scheduled appointment for my mother, xxxx xxx (aged 94 and requiring a wheelchair to move between vehicle and hospital).

I request that this parking charge be dismissed by the hospital for the following reasons:

1) The vehicle was parked wholly within a designated parking bay and correct payment made at the adjacent ticket machine for the duration of the stay.

2) A valid ticket was clearly and prominently displayed face-up on the vehicle’s dashboard - as per the Private Parking Contractor’s advice: LINK

3) The reason stated for the parking charge notice “OTHER> A+E Road Closed” is irrelevant and inaccurate as the designated parking bays were accessible and not marked as suspended.

4) The parking meter adjacent to the parking space (from which the ticket was purchased) was not marked as “out of use” or covered in such a manner as to prevent its use.

In support of my request I refer to the following DoH guidance:
LINK

This guidance requires that the hospital Trust is “responsible for the actions of private contractors who run car parks on their behalf” and that “Consideration should be given to the needs of people with temporary disabilities as well as Blue Badge holders”.

For the above reasons I believe it appropriate that the Trust contact their parking contractor, Parkshield Collection Ltd T/A PC Parking Enforcement Agency, and instruct them to cancel this Parking Charge Notice promptly.

I appreciate your swift positive response to this request. I would ask that I receive a reply via email by close of business on 7 March 2016 at the very latest.

Yours etc.]


I quickly received the following reply:
[Dear Ms xxxx

I reply in regard to your e-mail and letter received this morning:

Thank you for your recent letter regarding your vehicle being issued with a parking charge notice. I confirm that the hospital does take into account the needs of all motorists, including disabled motorists. There are several drop zones in close proximity to main entrances and adequate disabled parking bays in car parking areas.

With this in mind I encourage you to take advantage of the appeal system offered to motorist by the parking enforcement agency. In the event that you are not satisfied with the outcome of their appeal adjudication, you may also apply to have your case heard independently. The Agency will provided details of the independent process if your case is rejected.

I apologise, but I am unable to intervene with the process of issued parking charge notices and the correct procedure must be followed by all motorists.

Please refer to section 3 of the issued parking charge notice. I believe it contains all the information you need to appeal directly.

In the meantime I will contact the Agency to inform them that you intend to appeal the decision of the issued parking charge.]


So...
Other than contacting Parkshield, any thoughts for a next step?
Thanks in advance!