Can you appeal for overstaying due to being a new breastfeeding stressed out mother?

MissTigger

Hi, I'm new here.
This is my first ever debt at age 25, not quite sure how to deal with it at this stage.

i received a parking fine from Euro Car parks for overstaying in a free car park, which I didn't reply to or appeal in time. I intended on appealing as my reason for overstaying included me being a stressed out new mother who was breastfeeding her baby for AGES on-site at the car park. I was advised by CAB and BPA that my appeal would get me nowhere anyway.

Now I have got to the point where my fee is passed onto DRP debt collection agency and they are threatening to take me to court and give me a Court Judgement if I don't pay the reduced amount soon.

They are now asking for £110 even though it was a free car park and they are at no loss of earnings, what would you recommend that I do now? Shall I just do as they say and pay up?

thanks

pappa_golf

calm down!


was this a camera ticket?


if so what was the supposed entry and exit times , and if you bought a ticket what was the stamped time and for how long?

MissTigger

They clocked me on camera overstaying 32 minutes or something, It was a free car park and didn't need a ticket or anything. They tracked my details and sent me the notice in the post.
I used a parent and toddler space and they could probably see how flustered I was being a overly stressy new mum rushing about with my newborn on camera!

Northlakes

One thing you soon learn from this site is that the CAB is a complete waste of time as they have been spoon fed a load of tripe from the BPA (who are just there for their members).

You will learn far more from the NEWBIES thread which has been written by experts in the field.

We need more info. Length of overstay etc. You can still get an appeal in, the dates are just set by the ppc and are not mandatory.

Equality Act 2010 may come into play. Not an expert on this.

Location?

Did you contact the retailer for cancellation?

pappa_golf

ok free car park , for how long?


anpr camera entry , time?


anpr camera exit time?


were they pictures of your car parked , or pictures of you entering and leaving?

Ralph-y

"Location?"

as in supermarket ? retail park? hospital?

all so , England , Scotland ?

Ralph:cool:

MissTigger

The initial letter does have exact times on it, which seem correct, for when i arrived and when i left the car park.
No photograph included on any letter.
Just checked the overstay time and it is in fact 52 minutes overstay, not 32 minutes like i originally had in my head (oops)

There WERE clear signs saying 2 hours MAX, i stayed 2 hrs 52 mins so effectively I am in the wrong by a long time, however I believe I had no option but to either feel the guilt and heartache of leaving my 4 week old to scream of hunger due to my struggle breastfeeding her, or to overstay however long it took to make sure she was fed properly

also: it was a retail park which included shops and a restaurant, in england.

pappa_golf

go back to the shops where you spent money , take a screaming child with you


copy/scan the "invoice and write your phone number/email on them in big print ,


ask for managers , not help desk , get child to make noise and DEMAND that they cancel the charge , hand copy of invoice over and say you EXPECT a call/email later the same day to say its been sorted

MissTigger

i was thinking about doing that Pappa Golf however a restaurant I went in to sit and feed her (pizza hut) wouldn't give me anything or do anything to help as I didn't keep a receipt (don't think I got given one/waited for one) and as I paid for everything in cash i have no card transaction evidence either.. should i just go into one of the shops and ask anyway?

MissTigger

Also, now it has gone to DRP, does that mean that EURO car parks now have nothing to do with it? Would I be appealing to Euro or DRP?

Northlakes

Having just read the summary of the EA 2010 you are covered by this so the ppc needs to make reasonable provision..

Firstly you need to contact the retailer and try to get a cancellation from them.

Don't worry about the DRP debt collector letters. They are toothless and unimportant.

A debt denied letter referring to the equality act and basically sod off.

Euro will be easy to sort out I think.