Blue Badge Offence?

rabet66

We visited a free car park in Middlesex and parked in a disabled bay. The other half is a blue badge holder and is registered partially sighted. On returning to the car we found a ticket on the windscreen issued by ‘UKPC’. The notice stated we did not display a valid disabled badge. The other half did not ‘See’, and I did not check, that the badge was in fact displayed in its folder but unmistakably a disabled persons blue badge, clearly visible in the photos posted on UKPC’s web site. The disabled bay is a single bay tucked in the corner of the car park with no signs or conditions of parking visible in or from the car except for the standard yellow disabled symbol. The nearest sign was across the road approx 50 meters away. I have read at great length the comprehensive Newbie’s advice but I have to admit to the ravages of old age, we are in our mid seventies, and find the advice overwhelming, and am not sure which is the best route to try to get UKPC to cancel this penalty charge of £60 or £100. The irony is that had we used a non disabled bay, as the car park is free, there would not have been an issue!!!
I have penned an appeal to the CEO of the company where we parked and shopped asking him to help and use his influence to get this notice cancelled and am awaiting a reply.
Can we tap into your fountain of knowledge for help? We feel like criminals and it is so very stressful.

Redx

the BB scheme is not valid on private land, it is the Equality Act 2010 which protects you , not the BB

please read your blue booklet , it does tell you this , that other rules apply on non-public land like supermarkets, hospitals and retail parks etc

you have done the correct thing in asking the landholder to cancel the charge

also read the NEWBIES sticky thread near the top of this forum, use the blue text appeal template and add a note that an occupant of the car is a blue badge holder and enclose a copy or scan of the BB itself

so you still have to go through all the usual palaver

in future, bear this in mind wherever you park, but especially ensure that you follow the blue booklet , plus try to follow any rules on anywhere the driver parks the vehicle too

these honeytraps are there to trap the unwary, and private parking is not regulated , making it much worse for the unwary

Half_way

If you or your passenger had a protected characteristic under the equality act then the ppc should drip this as soon as they know, likewise the landowner / whoever took on the ppc should instruct there agents to do the same.
If they do not cancel then it opens then up fur a possible claim against them both fur a breach of the equality act.

DoaM

Just appeal to UKPC using the standard appeal BPA wording from the NEWBIES FAQ. Perhaps add an extra appeal point (if I've read the OP correctly):

x) The alleged contravention was parking in a Disabled spot without displaying a Blue badge. As can be seen from UKPC's own photos, a Blue Badge was clearly displayed, therefore the reason for the PCN was null and void and the PCN must thus be cancelled accordingly.

rabet66

Thank you for your replies. Do you suggest I send the template letter immediately or wait for 24 days?
I have received a reply from the CEO of the store we visited and was awarded the ticket, to say he would look into the situation. Thanks again.

Redx

see what happens with the landholder but if its not been cancelled by the PPC by day 25 , send the blue text template with the added paragraph about the BB and add a scan of the BB too

rabet66

I received notification from the store where we parked to confirm that the PCN has been cancelled. I looked at UKPC's web page and it is still inviting me to pay £100!?
It is advisable to write to the Management of the store where the PCN was issued and appeal to have it cancelled especially if they wish you to return and spend money.
Thanks for the advice. I have read so much on this site in the last three weeks I feel confident to deal with any future brush with these scoundrels. Thanks again.

Redx

put an appeal in (blue text template) and add an extra line stating that the landowner has cancelled the charge so you expect confirmation in writing to that effect

Coupon-mad

Or email:

appealmoreinfo@ukparkingcontrol.com

and tell them the PCN has been cancelled by the landowner after a complaint, so please can they confirm.

Fruitcake

Don't forget to complain to your MP, Mrs May, and Andrew Jones MP abut this scam. Mr Jones especially needs a kick up the backside because he thinks the unregulated self regulating industry has all the checks needed to ensure this sort of thing doesn't happen.

Show them all UKPC's own pic of the car with blue badge visible.

rabet66

PCN canceled. Thanks for the advice