UKPS PCN ignored - TNC letter now received. How do I proceed?

GGee_2

I have read the Newbie's posts but am still confused and would appreciate some help please! In April a parking charge notice was left on my car whilst it was parked in a clearly marked visitors space at a hospital. The receptionist in the hospital said the space was going to become a staff only space (I have used the visitors spaces at the hospital since 2013). Stupidly, I ignored the notice but have now received a letter from TNC parking services (headed up "Outstanding Parking Charge Notice") on behalf of their client UKPS (who issued the the parking charge notice originally) demanding payment of the £60 fine plus £60 admin chargeor they will immediately refer the matter to their litigation department.
UKPS are IPC accredited, and TNC are BPA members.
The letter from TNC is the only correspondence I've had from either company by post - I've never had a Notice to Keeper letter from UKPS - so I'm unsure as to what my next step should be. Should I:

1. I ignore TNC's letter because they're debt collectors and can't take any further action against me at the moment?

2. Write directly to UKPS with photos showing that the car was parked in a space clearly marked "Visitors Space" and stating that I want to appeal the parking charge notice on the grounds that I was not parked in a space requiring a permit (the ticket has been issued on the grounds that "No valid permit clearly on display"

Many thanks

Fruitcake

There are three parking companies with the initials UKPS. One is a BPA member and the other two are IPC members.
What is the name of the parking company please?

If it is a BPA member, then complain to them and the DVLA that the keeper ever received a NTK. If it is an IPC member, do the same. Do not reveal the driver's identity.

Debt collectors can be ignored.

You could try a late appeal but expect it to be rejected.

Complain to PALS, show them your evidence, and demand a cancellation.

Complain to your MP.

Coupon-mad

As it is the first letter, it is the Notice to keeper, so appeal it, same as ever.

Please tell us which 'UKPS' and if they are IPC or BPA?

GGee_2

The company is UKPS (North West) Ltd, and it's IPC.

I should also point out that, although TNC's letter is the first letter I've received, it says "Despite our letter of, your PCN has still not been paid...". That is an exact quote from the letter - the date of their supposed letter is blank!

Coupon-mad

I would point that out by adding a line to the standard challenge for IPC firms, which won't get it cancelled anyway and is done merely to show them you are no pushover and to appear reasonable in not ignoring the letter.

Explained in the NEWBIES thread (no second step, no IAS).

Fruitcake

OK, so do as advised in post 2. Complaint to IPC and UKPS (NW) Ltd (which will get you nowhere but may be useful if it ever went to court,) PALS, and your MP.