POPLA unsucessful - worth fighting?

Fimbaz

So, trying to fight two PPC's here! Already getting some great advice for my husband's court claim with VCS/BW Legal, now need some of my own from you wonderful people!

I badly burned my arm at work last year. I went to the walk in centre at Newcastle General Hospital straight away. I read all the signs, and took them to mean that parking was free for patients (as is the case at the other Newcastle walk in centre I would normally use, on Ponteland Road). There was also no parking meter in the walk in centre car park (there are many separate car parks on this site). I was at the walk in centre for 55 minutes, received some great care and advice, and went on my way. A couple of weeks later, I received a fine from Parking Eye, informing me that I had breached a contract, and now owed them £70. I drove straight up to the site, for another look at the signs. I took photos of the signs, as I truly feel they are misleading. I would understand if I had just been unwilling to pay the parking charge in the first place, but I was not. I have since found out that the charge is £1. 20 per hour, I would definitely have paid that if I had known! It is also worth noting that when I went back up for a thorough check, that when I did find the parking meter, it is approximately 30-40 metres from the entrance to the walk in centre car park, with no clear directions or signs to it inside the car park. Also, you could not see it from the car park. I also took photos of the, in my opinion, misleading, signs. Northumbria Trust has already ceased working with Parking Eye due to these unfair practices, and I am shocked Newcastle have not followed suit. I cannot be the only person that has fallen foul to this - especially people with greater injuries than myself, who would be stressed, upset and in a rush. My POPLA appeal was unsuccessful, and now I have received the LBC. Do I now just pay, since my POPLA was denied?

Thanks in advance

Coupon-mad

Do I now just pay, since my POPLA was denied?

No. Write an urgent formal complaint to the CEO of the NHS Trust by name. Point out they are in breach of Government Policy, as you will find linked in lots of other Hospital threads. This regime disregards the Government and Dept for Health requirements for NHS Car Parks.

I would understand if I had just been unwilling to pay the parking charge in the first place, but I was not. I have since found out that the charge is £1. 20 per hour, I would definitely have paid that if I had known! It is also worth noting that when I went back up for a thorough check, that when I did find the parking meter, it is approximately 30-40 metres from the entrance to the walk in centre car park, with no clear directions or signs to it inside the car park. Also, you could not see it from the car park.

Sounds typical for this *industry*. This Country should not allow this scummy practice to even exist.

Fimbaz

Great, thanks again ��

Fimbaz

Hi guys, just to keep you updated - got in touch with the NHS as advised by your good selves, and got email confirmation to day that they're having my fine cancelled! I can't believe it! Now just the court case one to deal with now! Thanks for all your help guys!!

Coupon-mad

Great news about this one!

PPCs have no place in NHS car parks at all. IMHO, they all need to wind their thick ex-clamper necks in and get a real job and stop harassing ordinary people like a scummy bunch of protection racketeers.