Parking charge notice Scotland

sonibu

Hello, just wanting to check I have done all that I can do for now and if there is anything else anyone can advise. I have read the Newbies FAQ thread, so much info, alot to take in. This relates to Hermiston Gait retail park in Edinburgh.

As registered keeper got a parking charge notice from UK Parking Control for vehicle being 'parked' longer than apparent 3.5 hours limit by 14 minutes (no signage noticed by driver), two time stamped photos show vehicle actually in motion driving into car park and out again 3 hrs 44mins later.

Having read the FAQs i just want to check that have done things right so far - have ignored UKPC since this is in Scotland, not engaging with them, ie not filled out appeal form/phoned/written etc. Have emailed manager of main store visited, also Hermiston Gait Park Manager, my MP, the MP who proposed the unregulated parking debate in W'minster back in Feb and a Scottish MP who spoke during the debate too, also my MSP. Am trying to find contact details for the actual landowner which seems to be an asset management co, looks like that'll have to be a posted letter. In letters I quoted comments from the debate as suggested in one of the threads on here.

I feel nervous about all this though, the initial 14 days (with 'discounted' charge...) is almost up, letter warns that if no payment in 42 days it goes up to 160 quid and passed to debt recovery agents. Other half said maybe should just pay it to get them off back but its just not right and tbh dont have spare cash to be throwing to UKPC. Anything else can be doing? Thanks for taking time to read this and sorry if all this is going over old ground for you.

Quentin

Why are you nervous?

If you've read the faq then you know only the driver can be pursued in Scotland.

Coupon-mad

I can't read the first post and gave up trying.

Please can you add at least 3 paragraph breaks?

sonibu

Paragraph breaks added!

Feel nervous i guess as tone of letter is intimidating, implies I have no choice but to pay it or have further consequences, never had one of these before. Just want to check i am tackling this in the right way and don't miss something obvious that might come back on me.

Cheers for replies

AltheHibby

You've nothing to worry about. Ignore them and don't name the driver despite the increasingly hysterical threats from them and it all goes away eventually.

Coupon-mad

implies I have no choice but to pay it or have further consequences,

They always do, of course, and they want the name of the driver or for you to panic & pay. Don't do that!

never had one of these before.

We have.

sonibu

Thankyou, I appreciate your quick replies

sonibu

Hi, I have had this reply from Retail Park Manager:

"Have you appealed this Notice?

As a customer you will have had receipts that you can say to UKPC that you are a genuine customer and not a person that has used the car park as a park and ride, which it is not.

If UKPC do not cancel the notice send me the reply with the notice number and receipts and I will endeavour to have the ticket cancel.

There are a lot of signs within the park notifying persons of the contract terms. By a person staying on the park with their vehicle they are agreeing to these terms."

So, do I follow UKPC appeals process and trust that either they cancel it or that this manager might, or do I continue to ignore UKPC, what do you recommend please? I can find only the one (largest) receipt out of the 3 that will have got from retail park shops.

Thanks in advance

System

So, do I follow UKPC appeals process and trust that either they cancel it or that this manager might, or do I continue to ignore UKPC

Firstly UKPC don't do court in Scotland for piddling amounts so you are worrying too much. Ignoring would be the option here.

Secondly you come over as someone who doesn't want to ignore so send a copy of the receipt and trust to the "system".

Thirdly as the offer has come from the site owner, it is a strong indication they have UKPC on a leash that means they won't make claims against customers. In fact it is financial suicide to p**s off customers just prior to one of the busiest retail periods of the year.

So on balance, follow the [retail park's] money and send a receipt and a copy of the RPM's email.

Coupon-mad

...without saying who was driving!

You could forward that email from the Retail Park Manager to:

appealmoreinfo@ukparkingcontrol.com

...with your copy receipt but talk about 'the occupants of the car' and not 'me'.

Of course, you will also have to add the PCN number in the email, and require the PCN to be cancelled or you will revert to the Retail Park Management.

sonibu

Further update! I have also now had a positive reply from my MP in Fife:

"We are happy to make representations on your behalf and would be grateful if you could forward a copy of the demand from UKPC (a photograph by email would be sufficient) we can then make an assessment of how and who we can make representations to on your behalf.

I hope the above is agreeable and we look forward to hearing from you."

I was going to follow UKPC appeal process copying in the letter from retail park manager as suggested above, but now got this email from MP what do you recommend? Both or just MP route?

Thanks again for guidance, its not that I'm a person who doesn't want to ignore, more that I want to challenge this in a way that is effective for me and also helpful for anyone else (don't want to balls it up basically), I figure getting step-by-step advice from the experienced folk in this forum is the best way to do it right