G24 Parking Ltd. - Post-Beavis

Umkomaas

Carthesis wrote: »

Thanks for that - I've had a dig round on PePiPoo and haven't been able to find that thread though. Found a couple by hexaflexagon which seem to be related (complaints to TS and the like), but I've not managed to locate the one-stop shop with all the data in it.

There are two lengthy threads that I recall having lots of useful details and experiences. Here are the links:

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=98959&hl=

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=98345&hl=

Carthesis

Umkomaas wrote: »

There are two lengthy threads that I recall having lots of useful details and experiences. Here are the links:

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=98959&hl=

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=98345&hl=

Amazing - thanks for the direct links. Not sure why they didn't turn up as results when i searched the site directly and via google... You win this time technology! THIS TIIIIIIIiiiiimmmmmeeeee.....

Carthesis

Well, I got a response from my MP (finally):

Dear Mr XXXXXX,

Thank you for your emails regarding the operation of Private Parking Companies. Please accept my apologies for the delay in getting back to you.

I am deeply concerned by the actions of some PPCs, and not least the apparent complicity of the DVLA, who have the perverse incentive to collude with them for financial ends.

This is a textbook example of how legislation in itself is not enough to tackle a problem, and how enforcement needs to been given proper thought. I am taking this matter up with Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State at DCLG, pressing him to take swift action.

I will of course let you know when he gets back to me.

Thanks again for writing.

With best wishes,

Gill Furniss MP
Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough

Sadly, following some of the posts i've seen on the site recently - specifically ones about Equalities Act violations (and one where someone was stating they were so worried that they had been having suicidal thoughts, despite having done nothing wrong), I fear that although my MP appears to get the general gist, she hasn't fully understood just how deeply affected some people can be by these charges.

Fruitcake

Carthesis wrote: »

Well, I got a response from my MP (finally):


Sadly, following some of the posts i've seen on the site recently - specifically ones about Equalities Act violations (and one where someone was stating they were so worried that they had been having suicidal thoughts, despite having done nothing wrong), I fear that although my MP appears to get the general gist, she hasn't fully understood just how deeply affected some people can be by these charges.

Nevertheless, an MP on "our side." Anyone who gets a PCN in this MP's catchment area should be encouraged to contact them fifthwith.

DoaM

At least you got a response showing some understanding of the issue ... most MPs would likely give a complete fob-off response.

Carthesis

I have responded:

Dear Ms. Furniss,

Thank you for taking the time in your no doubt extremely busy schedule to reply to my concerns. I am appreciative of your willingness to bring this issue up with Sajid Javid on my behalf, and on behalf of the thousands of people who are plagued by these companies every day.

Sadly, I realise now that my initial letter perhaps did not go sufficiently far enough into the levels to which many of these companies will stoop for their pound of flesh. If you have the time, I suggest you visit the following websites addresses, and read the stories that some people are now (still) being forced to suffer through:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5543218 - this is a registered disabled person with self-described "significant mental health conditions" who is currently feeling frightened and has considered self-harm over a speculative parking invoice. An invoice which was sent out because the pay and display ticket the person had purchased in compliance with T&Cs in the car park wasn't displayed in the exact place where the PPC wanted it displayed, despite the fact the ticket was apparently totally visible from a cursory inspection. Now, despite being informed of this person's condition and the particulars of the appeal, the appeal was rejected by Euro Parking Services, with instructions that the appellant must proceed to IAS (a puppet appeal organisation of the IPC, which is itself a sham Accredited Trade Association run by the Directors of Gladstone's Solicitors, a legal firm currently under investigation by the SRA for not complying with Practice Directions when submitting Small Claim Court filings for parking charges issued by IPC members...)

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5542297 - this is a case where someone is being taken to court for non-payment of fees in a pay-and-display car park, despite this person having subsequently being able to pay the fee (on the same day, although a few hours after entering the car park) using the "pay-by-phone" service. Logic would suggest that the first appeal should have demonstrated this person has paid the appropriate fee, the windscreen ticket simply being a matter of unfortunate timing, and the ticket cancelled. Yes this poor person is having to defend themselves in court, in front of a judge, for the simple reason that the ticket machine wasn't working properly when they entered the car park.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5542592 - this is a case where the mother of a newborn overstayed in a "60 mins free" car park by 29 minutes. She was recorded entering the car park at one time, and 89 mins later recorded leaving. The reason for the overstay? She was breastfeeding her child in the car before leaving. Despite the fact that both the BPA and IPC Codes of Practice require grace periods to be allowed, of a minimum of ten minutes, on both entry and exit. Despite the fact that pregnant women and mothers of newborns are Protected Characteristics under the Equalities Act, and require that reasonable adjustments be made.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5542235 - in this case, a registered Blue Badge holder who is suffering with post-surgery complications overstayed by - in total - 15 minutes or less in a car park is being taken to court by ParkingEye, despite not breaching the grace periods referred to above. The court case is being pursued because the person in question forgot to appeal, and thus missed the arbitrary 28-day appeal deadline imposed by PPCs despite legislation being in place which requires ADR to be available for 12 months from the date in question.

These are just SOME of the cases that people are having to deal with, that I am attempting to help with in my own small way. Obviously, no-one is suggesting that private landowners do not have the right to manage their own land and car parking, but in every single one of the cases above, you would expect any company that is being run with integrity and even an ounce of morality to cancel these charges without a second thought. Instead, people are being chased to court, harassed and otherwise caused a great deal of unnecessary stress to the point (in an admittedly small number of cases) where serious harm is being caused.

I would urge you - beg you even - to review these cases and many others for yourself and to present them with the other available evidence to Sajid Javid, and to hopefully pass stricter legislation that these companies must adhere to, rather than being only notionally held to a Code of Practice that is rarely, if ever, actually enforced.

Thanks you again for your time.

Kind regards,

beamerguy

Carthesis wrote: »

Well, I got a response from my MP (finally):


Sadly, following some of the posts i've seen on the site recently - specifically ones about Equalities Act violations (and one where someone was stating they were so worried that they had been having suicidal thoughts, despite having done nothing wrong), I fear that although my MP appears to get the general gist, she hasn't fully understood just how deeply affected some people can be by these charges.

At least Gill Furniss MP shows concern.
A lot better than some of these worthless MP's and I include
"worthless" as Marcus Jones MP