ECP fine. Waiting for a space!

Angelakx

Hi. I entered an ECP car park next to the train station and waited about 14 minutes in the car with the engine running due to there being NO spaces available. I entered thinking there must be one or 2 but after driving around none were becoming available so I left the car park because I would’ve missed my train otherwise. I ended up paying nearly double in a different car park instead. They have sent me a £60 fine on 2 occasions now where this has happened but how can I be expected to buy a ticket if I’m not evening going to get a space? I entered the car park intending to get a space and park. At no sign did it state even if there are no spaces available you must still buy a ticket to even look around and check! I have appealed but they denied it. I really don’t want to pay it. If I keep ignoring it can they take me to court? It’s 2 fines at the moment £60 and £100. Euro car parks.

Fruitcake

It is not a fine.

Do you mean that you received two separate PCNs for two separate events?

If two, did you appeal them both?

Did you give away the driver's identity when you appealed, like you have done in your post here? I hope not.

Did you get a PoPLA code when your initial appeal was rejected? If so, did you use it, or are you still inside the appeal window and can still use it?

Angelakx

What do you mean give away drivers identity? When I made the claim I stated what I have in the thread. I also attached a text message image of the day when I texted my manager saying there are no spaces and I may be late to work? They gave me a code for POPLA and I’ve appealed through them this morning on the website too? Was this the wrong thing to do

Angelakx

Fruitcake wrote: »

It is not a fine.

Do you mean that you received two separate PCNs for two separate events?
Yes they are two different occasions but I have only received a letter for 1. When they denied my appeal the email said you have another too that’s how I found out about that one.

If two, did you appeal them both?
I’ve only appealed one but they will be for the same reason (no spaces so I left)
Did you give away the driver's identity when you appealed, like you have done in your post here? I hope not.

Did you get a PoPLA code when your initial appeal was rejected? If so, did you use it, or are you still inside the appeal window and can still use it?

I used the popla code and appealed this morning with popla

Fruitcake

It is never a good idea to reveal the driver's identity except in very specific circumstances. The Keeper should appeal, not the Driver because they are two different people and one has protection in law that the other doesn't.

Parking scammers read these fora and have been know to use information from here at the appeals stage and even in court, so everyone is advised to keep quiet about who was driving.

Unfortunately if you appealed saying what you have posted here, then they know who was driving.


If you put the same things in your PoPLA here as you mentioned above, it will probably be rejected, but you don't have to pay even if you lose.

Have a good look at the NEWBIES thread to find out how this unregulated scam industry works, and the correct way to appeal if it happens again.

nosferatu1001

What we mean is - do they know who the driver is? The chances are - yes

What did you put in your appeal to POPLA?
You jhad no reason to rush this and could have taken some time.
ECP dont do court.

Angelakx

Fruitcake wrote: »

It is never a good idea to reveal the driver's identity except in very specific circumstances. The Keeper should appeal, not the Driver because they are two different people and one has protection in law that the other doesn't.
“I am the keeper and driver”

Parking scammers read these fora and have been know to use information from here at the appeals stage and even in court, so everyone is advised to keep quiet about who was driving.

Unfortunately if you appealed saying what you have posted here, then they know who was driving.
“Regardless, do you think I am still at fault for not buying a ticket even through there were no spaces! “


If you put the same things in your PoPLA here as you mentioned above, it will probably be rejected, but you don't have to pay even if you lose.
“Why will it be rejected? Ecp did not state that even if no spaces still buy a ticket?”

Have a good look at the NEWBIES thread to find out how this unregulated scam industry works, and the correct way to appeal if it happens again.

Okay I will have a look at that

Angelakx

nosferatu1001 wrote: »

What we mean is - do they know who the driver is? The chances are - yes
Yes I think so because when I’ve appealed I’ve given my name etc?
What did you put in your appeal to POPLA?
You jhad no reason to rush this and could have taken some time.
ECP dont do court.

In my popla I said there were no spaces and they didn’t state I still need to buy a ticket even if looking for a space, I attached the text to my manager saying there are no spaces. I told them that I was looking for a space and was getting late for the train so ended up leaving

Angelakx

What do you mean they don’t do court? So I can get away with not paying it?

Fruitcake

Angelakx wrote: »

What do you mean they don’t do court? So I can get away with not paying it?

Some parking scammers take thousands of people to court every year. Some have never taken anyone to court, or very few.
ECP so far have never done court, but that could change as they have six years to try.

It's not a case of getting away with anything. This is an unregulated scam. When you read the NEWBIES you will see what our MPs have said about these cowboys in open parliament.

What you put in your PoPLA appeal might win, but there are several more points you could have included to give you a better chance.
For example, inadequate signage, not the landowner, and quoting from a court case where a judge said that driving around looking for a space is not parking would have helped.

http://parking-prankster.blogspot.com/2014/03/waiting-for-space-is-not-parking.html

Anyway, don't panic. The PoPLA decision is not binding on you, so win or lose, you do not have to pay.

Coupon-mad

The only parties getting away with something are the scammer parking firms.

Stop thinking you are guilty of something. No need to worry. I've ignored ECP myself and the sky didn't fall in.