newbie unsure of appeal

parkwell

Hi I'm new here and before you ask I have read the 'newbies' thread, thanks for all the info.

A 'charge' notice was placed on my vehicle windscreen just over a week ago by UKPC, but wasn't noticed until after the vehicle had moved elsewhere. As the registered keeper I subsequently visited the site to take some photos of the signs etc.

Basically the public road turns into a private industrial estate at some point- one would assume this is at the imposing security barrier kiosk, but seemingly not, since my vehicle was parked outside this. There is an "authorised vehicles only" sign maybe 10 metres before the barrier, but again one would assume this is prior warning before entering the site via the security barrier. (note- all and sundry pass constantly through this barrier, since there are many businesses operating from the site which are visited by customers- access is not in practice restricted to permit holders.)

My vehicle was parked on a (interrupted in multiple places) double yellow for approx 3 minutes, and since it is outside the security barrier one would assume this is part of the highway leading to the estate, and therefore local council land. But seemingly not. When I visited the site I noted that there is only a single sign warning of parking charges (on the left side appraoch to the kiosk) and since it is (inadequately, in my view) attached to an existing sign pole using only cable ties, it has slid down to ground level and thus is invisible from any vehicle.

I intend to use the blue template to make an appeal, but I was wondering whether I should insert any additional evidence of poor signage and lack of clear boundary extents etc at this stage? Is there a standard that must be adhered to for the boundary of the private land? The double yellows continue seamlessly from the highway, past the security barrier and into the estate (except where they are broken by previous roadworks etc as mentioned.)

Any tips appreciated.

To be honest there is part of me that would rather just pay this and avoid all the hassle, but I still have a burning sense of injustice from years ago when I received a CCJ because a PCN from an APNR camera was sent to the wrong address which I later proved to the court was due to the DVLA incorrectly typing in my address (I obtained a scan of my change of details form from the DVLA which showed I had submitted it correctly, but the V5 was issued with the wrong door number)... but they denied my request to 'submit out of time' regardless!

The_Deep

UKPC are fraudsters, read this,

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11858473/Parking-firm-UKPC-admits-faking-tickets-to-fine-drivers.html

put up with the hassle, and appeal, it will cost them money.

This is an entirely unregulated industry which is scamming the public with inflated claims for alleged breaches of contracts for alleged parking offences, aided and abetted by a handful of low-rent solicitors.

Parking Eye, CPM, Smart, and another company have already been named and shamed, as has Gladstones Solicitors, and BW Legal, (these two law firms take hundreds of these cases to court each year). They lose most of them, and have been reported to the regulatory authority by an M.P. for unprofessional conduct

Hospital car parks and residential complex tickets have been especially mentioned.

The problem has become so rampant that MPs have agreed to enact a Bill to regulate these scammers. Watch the video of the Second Reading in the HofC recently.

http://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/2f0384f2-eba5-4fff-ab07-cf24b6a22918?in=12:49:41

and complain in the most robust terms to your MP. With a fair wind most of these companies may well be put out of business by Christmas.

Fruitcake

Put the standard appeal in around day 26 using the template from the NEWBIES. Save all the detail for PoPLA as this will give you plenty of time to do more research, find out if the car was on public or private land etcetera.

Well done on getting this far before posting. It makes things so much easier for the regulars when people actually read the NEWBIES and work out the basics before coming here.

UKPC are scammers of the worst kind, and as above, were caught doctoring time stamps on their photo' "evidence." Please do not pay them as you will otherwise be funding and perpetuating the scam for others to be caught as well.

Coupon-mad

I intend to use the blue template to make an appeal, but I was wondering whether I should insert any additional evidence of poor signage and lack of clear boundary extents etc at this stage?

Not at this stage, no. Important to wait till day 26 though, with a windscreen PCN.

parkwell

ok thanks for the tips, I'll follow the sage advice..