Advice for a strange situation

Collingsisit

Evening all.

Erm I am hoping someone might be able to help me, or guide me in the right direction. I have received a parking fine from our friends Civil Enforcement Ltd. The fine is for parking in a car park for authorised vehicles only.
Just for history, this car park is a GP surgery in a busy town, which I visit quite frequently for my job. I am well known by the practice staff. But always parked down the road in a pay and display as I have always been aware that parking was limited at the onsite car park. On the date of the supposed fine, I was asked to attend for an early morning meeting. So taking the chance, I parked in the car park, which most of the staff also park in. Off I went to the meeting.

2 weeks later I receive the PCN through the post. I was a bit confused at first, wondering where is this?! Then checking my diary, it’s the time and date of my meeting at the practice. So I made a visit to see the practice manager, where she said she would cancel it off, and add me to the list of registered authorised drivers. I thought nothing more of it...

Fast forward 4 weeks...another PCN comes through the door, saying my fine has now increased to £100 for non payment... so I contact the practice manager again explaining the situation, who says “I thought I had cancelled it... send me the number again” which I have done, and asking if she can let me know when she has done this... this was on Monday, and I have received no more emails from her...which doesn’t fill me with confidence

I’m now a bit worried as it looks like I am ignoring it, when really I thought this had been dealt with. So now I think my best bet is to appeal to CEL. After reading the newbie post, I have a template, however it mentions not naming the driver. But how do I attach evidence showing I had attended a meeting, and that I work there frequently, without that practically saying I was the driver? Or am I being a bit stupid? Are there any more appropriate templates better suited to this scenario?

I was thinking of getting a statement from the practice manager too, do you think this will help my appeal? If anyone has any suggestions, or links that could help me, I would be most grateful.

Redx

at this stage I would not worry about adding the details about being authorised to park , just use the blue text template "as is" , or add a paragraph to say that the landowner has agreed to cancel the charge and this will be brought up in any future appeal or court case

yes get the landowner to write a witness statement saying that they do not wish for this charge to go ahead and want it cancelled and that the driver had permission to park

so fight them on 2 fronts

Collingsisit

Thank you Redx, I will do just that.

Half_way

Make sure you get any notice of cancellation in writing/email.
Under the NHS parking principles the practice is responsible for the actions of the car parking company.

As soon as you get it in writing( or email confirmation) you must get in touch with the parking company and tell them that they must cease and desist for pursuing this, and other than an apology, and confirmation that this matter is closed they should remove your data from their records

Collingsisit

Hello half_way, thank you for your reply. Would the email already sent from the practice manage saying she “thought I had cancelled it” be enough?

Half_way

It should technically do it, as it would show the practice does not want the parking company to pursue it.
p.s, its not a fine.

Dear Cicvil Enfarcement, ltd, re parking charge notice #####
please find included communication between myself as registered keeper of vehicle #### and the NHS practice ( name of practice) confirming that the parking charge is to be cancelled.
As you have now been supplied with evidence that the NHS practice does not wish this parking charge to be pursued, you must now take the following action:
1: to stop pursuing this parking charge with immediate effect
2: to issue a full apology over the inconvenience you have caused
3: aside from confirming this matter is now closed ( and the issuing of a full underacted apology) I do not want to hear from you again on this matter
failure to comply with the above will result in a complaint to your trade association, as well as the DVLA, ICO, and any other relevant party.
It may also result in action being taken against (PPC name) in the county court for a breach of the data protection act, and/or harassment.
Failure to pay any judgement made against you may result on a CCJ, and could adversely affect your companies ability to obtain credit, and/or even trade

Collingsisit

Thank you so much Half_way, that’s brilliant. And Redx too for your help. It is truly appreciated.

Collingsisit

Evening all.

Thank you to those who gave me great advice. I did exactly what you told me. I emailed civil enforcement using their appeals option on their website. I made lots screenshots too.

I sent this appeal within the 28 days stated on the 2nd letter. I have now received a letter dated 14th of December stating it is now too late to appeal.

I have left all relevant paperwork at my office, so am unable to refer to exact dates at this time. But will do tomorrow. However, I am positive it stated I can still make an appeal within 28 days of that 2nd letter. They have also NOT given me a Popla code.

Also once again the practice manager had stated it should be sorted.

Once again I ask for your advice. What are my options? I feel they are not playing fair whatsoever.

Coupon-mad

Of course they don't pay fair, no parking firm does. They are called cowboys by this site and by MPs in Parliament.

The way to get this cancelled is for the landowner to do it, she needs to get her finger out and she MUST stop dithering saying 'awww...I thought I'd cancelled it, sorry love...'

Not good enough. Get assertive with the Practice manager and stand there holding up the Centre THIS WEEK, until she's made that call while you wait, not later. Make it clear you are not going away.

If you don't, you will be sued. BTW on this forum it's never an option to pay CEL!

Collingsisit

Thank you for your reply.

I have fired off an email this evening and will follow it up tomorrow with a phone call to her. I highlighted the importance of this. Hopefully it will be heeded this time...but I am not hopeful.

At this stage, if I get no progress with the practice manager, can I complain to BPA? Or send ( via email ) the original blue template on the newbie thread? Or perhaps too late for that one...?

beamerguy

Collingsisit wrote: »

Also once again the practice manager had stated it should be sorted.

Once again I ask for your advice. What are my options? I feel they are not playing fair whatsoever.

You need to get the practice manager understanding
the scam and the cowboys.

"should be sorted" does NOT mean it has been sorted

How about telling the practice manager that you will
involve her in any case to explain what she means to a judge
and bearing in mind she must tell the truth.

"When the going gets tough etc ........"