Parking fine- for not parking.

oldstunty

It was July this year at the Holiday inn express at Luton airport. I was travelling down to work on the construction of the Signature flight buiding opposite, normally I park within the site itself, but on this morning, a delivery of portaloos was taking up the parking area. The banksman asked me to park in the holiday inn until the delivery was complete. I then spent 20 minutes circling around looking for a space, a space which didn't exist! i drove out to see if I could get into the site carpark, only to be sent back to the holiday inn!. after circling again, and getting stuck between a delivery lorry and a minibus for 15 odd minutes, i finally left to park on the construction site.
The good people at Parking Eye sent me a parking charge Notice for non payment of a parking ticket. I duly replied, explaining the situation, which they didn't believe.
I am now looking at a letter before county court claim for £100 plus legal fees.
Has anyone else had this problem before, and how did you deal with it?
If I had parked , i would gladly pay up. In fact, it wouldn't of got this far as the company I work for reimburses any parking tickets, so I have no reason to lie.
I had a look on google maps (haven't been down to that job since) to see if there are any parking notices. There is one just before the construction site entrance, exact same spot where the lorry was parked, so no chance of me spotting it!

pogofish

Dealing with Parking Eye is well covered by the Newbies Sticky at the top of this forum and I think there are quite a few examples of successful challenges at this very hotel in other recent threads here.

Get stuck-in!

Carthesis

On the Notice to Keeper (I presume) that they've sent you, does it specify a period of parking? It sounds suspiciously like the ANPR cameras might have "double-dipped" you - they often don't pick up every instance of a car passing them, or the reporting software defaults to "first and last" instance of them passing you.

Also, this seems to be a case where the "grace period" that PE are forced to allow you hasn't been adhered to.

Coupon-mad

I am now looking at a letter before county court claim for £100 plus legal fees.
Has anyone else had this problem before, and how did you deal with it?

You MUST respond robustly to the LBCCC saying what actually happened. Remind them of this case:

http://parking-prankster.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/waiting-for-space-is-not-parking.html

and about this ICO complaint:

http://parking-prankster.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/parkingeye-subject-to-data-protection.html

And lodge your own ICO complaint and tell PE you've done so and as such, they MUST NOT proceed to court because that would be both unreasonable and vexatious under the circumstances of a double 'drive in/out' whilst looking for a space.

Be really robust. Email and post your response. Email is:

enforcement@parkingeye.co.uk


HTH


P.S.

If I had parked , i would gladly pay up.

Would you?! We wouldn't. These PCNs are invariably harsh and unfair.

In fact, it wouldn't of got this far as the company I work for reimburses any parking tickets, so I have no reason to lie.

'wouldn't have'...never 'of' - but the point is, what a stupid company policy. Can we all have some of their money too if we mock up fake PCNs?

Carthesis

I love that letter from Mr. Owens.

In fact, large chunks of the text are going to be used when I smack G24 for misappropriation of personal data with no suitable evidence.

oldstunty

Sorry for the delay in responding, been a bit busy.
Thanks for all the help and advice, it will all be used!

Ivor_Pecheque

Circling isn't Parking.

more to follow....

Ivor_Pecheque

Circling isn't parking.

Parking Eye know this, as The Judge told them.

I know, because I was there.

Use The Judgement well. It cost me ninety quid. Hopefully it cost Parking Eye a lot more.

CS018 http://www.parking-prankster.com/case-law.html

oldstunty

Just realised, I have had no correspondence from porking pie since the first one soiled my doormat.
Since the alleged incident and the LBCCC, it's been about 70 days. No letter of rejection, POPLA reference, squat. I love this site!