Civil Parking Charge Notice Scotland

lisadon43

I'm new to the forum and before anyone asks I have read the newbies thread which states "you should IGNORE your fake PCN unless you are not the registered keeper and that is a company (hire car or leased/company vehicle).*

You are safe to ignore because there is no worthwhile appeals process - do not believe what the fake PCN says! This Watchdog video still applies in Scotland and NI because a PPC has to know who was driving (unlike in England/Wales now):

My concern is I I have read an article where someone was taken to court in Scotland for parking fines he ignored. I'm new so not allowed to post up the link but it was on STV news on 9 March 16 "Driver pays £3,000 in unpaid private parking fees at Skypark in Glasgow. It was for a fair amount of ignored driving charges not just the one so I'm hoping that as it's my first PCN Lidl or Athena won't feel it worth pursuing? Article states that parking charges are enforceable in Scotland and that Combined Parking Solutions are reviewing over 500 cases for legal action in Scotland alone many for just one ticket after winning this case.

I have received a Civil Parking Charge Notice from Athena ANPR for parking in Lidl Car Park in Leith, Edinburgh for overstaying time by 10 mins (90 mins allowed). Should I just ignore this? Would it be worth contacting Lidl CEO. I was the driver and I was in Lidl but don't have a receipt as I take clients there every week who have complex health issues. On this occasion my client had a bit of an anxiety attack and as result we were there longer than expected. I don't really want to admit I was driver as if Lidl ignore my complaint they could theoretically take me to court knowing I was the driver. Would something short like this be sufficient?

I'm the Registered Keeper of the car that received PCN ref xxx. My family all use Lidl weekly and spend vast amounts each year in your store and if you do not cancel the PCN immediately we will shop elsewhere. I also work for a charity supporting clients with complex mental and physical health issues who I aid with their shopping at various Lidl stores throughout Edinburgh and it concerns me that I may be the driver at a future date and overstay the time just because my clients struggle to do things within a set defined time.

Any thoughts and do I email it to Christian.Hartnagel@lidl.co.uk or Ronny.Gottschlich@lidl.co.uk. There seems to be different emails all over the place.

Thanks in advance for any advice. My work won't cover the cost which is £45 if paid within 14 days £90 if after and probably more if it goes to court. I don't want to pay it but don't want to be taken to court either. I also thought the sign was confusing as it does state £90 for 90 mins but underneath it says £90 will apply if not returned within 2 hours. This gives the impression that there is a period of grace and is ambiguous as clearly the charge applies under 2 hours.

AltheHibby

Don't do anything but ignore them and you'll be fine.

One thing you must do is remove the references to who was driving in your post.

Coupon-mad

Civil Enforcement are not the brightest bunch and narrowly escaped being 'done' for criminal acts in Scotland, when this case was mucked up:

http://www.scotsman.com/news/english-parking-charge-firm-cleared-of-fraud-by-scots-court-1-4000569

Whereas the firm you read about with the guy who paid up (out of court, I might add) is Combined Parking Solutions, who use a different business model completely, with signs that allegedly OFFER parking to non-permit holders at £100 per day (i.e. they set it at that price). So it can be harder to argue because 'price bargains', if clear, can't be argued the same way. Hence why that guy struggled.

Would it be worth contacting Lidl CEO.

Yes, even in Scotland we encourage retailer complaints to get these cancelled and to show the retailers what they've got mixed up in. Go for it!

The new CEO (after Ronny G left) is:

Christian.Hartnagel@lidl.co.uk

You need to word this bit to specifically ask to be added to the white list (exempt cars from PCNs, like the staff's own cars) when transporting disabled shoppers, so I would add this and follow it up if not answered first time:

I also work for a charity supporting clients with complex mental and physical health issues who I aid with their shopping at various Lidl stores throughout Edinburgh and it concerns me that I may be the driver at a future date and overstay the time just because my clients struggle to do things within a set defined time.

How do I ensure that my vehicle is added to the store's White List on a day when I might be driving disabled shoppers and will certainly need more time as a 'reasonable adjustment' under the Equality Act 2010?

Umkomaas

Here's an example of an excellent and successful complaint to Lidl from a little while ago. Not for copying verbatim, but it might help you get started.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/69494947#Comment_69494947

Let us know how you get on with complaining as this will help us with up-to-date information as to how they are currently responding. This will help us help other motorists who will undoubtedly be following in your footsteps after a Lidl visit.

lisadon43

Thanks for the responses and links to other successful letters. I plan to ignore the demands from Athena and will not appeal as they don't know that I was the driver so I know they have no case to take me to Court in Scotland but I would still like to complain to the CEO at Lidl but someone mentioned that I need to ensure it doesn't state that I was the driver, but I'm finding it difficult to word this correctly as I was the driver at the time and am stating that I do drive sometimes with clients. Does the email below sound OK? I'll keep everyone posted if I hear anything back from Lidl. I would rather get it cancelled by the CEO than have the hassle of debt collector letters and threats of legal proceedings ongoing.

I am the Registered Keeper of the vehicle and am aware of the purported 'civil parking charge from Athena ANPR Ltd received (copy attached). The driver will not be identified. My family all use Lidl weekly and spend vast amounts each year in your store and if you do not cancel the PCN immediately we will shop elsewhere.

I also work for a charity supporting clients with complex mental and physical health issues who I aid with their shopping at various Lidl stores throughout Edinburgh and it concerns me that I may be the driver at a future date and overstay the time just because my clients struggle to do things within a set defined time. How do I ensure that my vehicle is added to the store’s White List on a day when I might be driving disabled shoppers and will certainly need more time as a ‘reasonable adjustment’ under the Equality Act 2010?

Regards

Coupon-mad

That's perfect. Very reasonable and worded to cover both issues.

lisadon43

[EMAIL="Christian.Hartnagel@lidl.co.uk"]Christian.Hartnagel@lidl.co.uk[/EMAIL] - tried to send to CEO but it's come back undeliverable. Any other options to email?


Typically since I posted I have since received another PCN for the same car park one week later but I just amended my complaint to CEO stating I wasn't driver on either of these occasions and please cancel them etc. But the email doesn't work unfortunately.

Umkomaas

Incorrect spelling of surname:

christian.haertnagel@lidl.co.uk

lisadon43

Result both PCNs cancelled and additional time given for that particular Lidl for parking. Thanks for all your help. This was the email I sent to CEO:


I am the Registered Keeper of the vehicle and am aware of the purported 'civil parking charges from Athena ANPR Ltd received (copies attached) for two consecutive weeks. I was not the driver on these occasions and the driver will not be identified. Various people in my family use this car at Lidl weekly and spend vast amounts each year in your store and if you do not cancel these PCNs immediately we will shop elsewhere.


Mr Haertnagel, I have visited the Money Saving Expert Forum which is awash with complaints by legitimate LIDL customers who have had similar treatment.


Whilst I apologise for the driver taking longer in your car park than they should have, I feel we as paying customers are being punished for taking time with our shopping, and spending money at your store. I and my family are appalled at this and will certainly re-consider visiting your stores if these charges are not cancelled both for a mere 10-15 minutes over the allocated time which does not justify the charge.



This car is also often used for a charity supporting clients with complex mental and physical health issues who are aided with their shopping at various Lidl stores throughout Edinburgh and it concerns me that I may be the driver at a future date and overstay the time just because my clients struggle to do things within a set defined time. How do I ensure that my vehicle is added to the store’s White List on a day when I might be driving disabled shoppers and will certainly need more time as a ‘reasonable adjustment’ under the Equality Act 2010?
This was their email replies via customer services:
Re: Parking Charge
Thank you for contacting our C.E.O. It has been requested, that I respond on his behalf.
As you are probably aware, Lidl UK GmbH is a national retailer. As such, we have stores in locations with limited parking space and in common with many of our competitors, our store car parks are abused to a significant and detrimental extent. We have therefore judged it necessary to take measures so that our stores parking facilities are available first and foremost to our customers.
In order to ensure that sufficient parking spaces are available at all times to our customers, Lidl employs third party contractors to monitor and control our car parks. So far, this service has proved reliable and effective in reducing car park abuse and in freeing up spaces for our customers.
In light of your comments, on this one occasion, I have contacted Athena and have requested that this charge be cancelled. Please note, your comments regarding our parking restrictions have been noted and passed to the relevant department.
I have also added your registration number to our extended time list for this store. This will now mean you have 3 hours of parking going forward. Should you wish to register for any additional stores, I would ask for you to contact the car park management company direct.
Thank you again for contacting us.
Yours sincerely,
For and on behalf of Lidl UK GmbH


Reece Aitken
Customer Service Management



followed by another email:


Re: Parking Charge
Thank you for your contact
I would like to clarify that both charges have been requested to be cancelled.
Yours sincerely,
For and on behalf of Lidl UK GmbH


Reece Aitken
Customer Service Management

Umkomaas

Nice complaint, mealy-mouthed response from Lidl. Why not just say 'We're very sorry, we recognise you as a valued customer and this will never happen again to you'.

It wouldn't take me long after that drivel to tell them to FRO.

Coupon-mad

Well done!

So people are meant to be psychic to ask for this adjustment (not advertised anywhere). This is a good thing but atrocious that disabled people are fined first and never told this is possible:

I have also added your registration number to our extended time list for this store. This will now mean you have 3 hours of parking going forward. Should you wish to register for any additional stores.