Work car park appeal rejected - POPLA?

Atra

Hello

This is my first post, so may I be excused if I ask something wrong.

My work car park is managed by Parking Eye - it is free and the cameras detect number plates. There isn't enough parking for all, so one day I couldn't get a space and I parked in an area which is not an allocated space but it did not block anyone or any pathway. I was given a windscreen fine. I hadn't read this forum then and used their online appeals procedure explaining my genuine reason that I did not block anyone and used my best judgement etc. They have rejected the appeal. Now that means I have sort of admitted that I did it knowingly.

I have read through all the sticky threads and now realise that I shouldn't have, instead used a standard template. Is it too late to go through the mentioned steps because of my admission in the appeal or can I follow the steps like POPLA etc. I realise if I take that option my option to pay the discounted fine will be lost.

I also revisited the site and there is a signboard saying 'Do not park in the yellow hatched area' - I was parked in front of it but the hatched paint is totally non-existent and I have taken a photo of that. I know under normal circumstances if I had followed all the guidance provided here, this could have been a strong case but given my admission in my appeal do I have a chance particularly if PE did decide to drag me to court. Can they hold my appeal against me?

Very thankful for any guidance.

Umkomaas

Have you got a POPLA Code? If so follow the advice in the NEWBIES FAQ sticky, post #3.

Is the car park exclusively that of your employer? Have you enlisted your employer's help in getting PE to cancel this? Do it before your POPLA appeal, as once that's underway, PE dig their heels in deeper.

BUT - if you've no response from your employer/PE before your POPLA deadline you MUST get your POPLA appeal in. Miss that and the 'climb' gets a whole lot steeper.

Unusual for PE to be putting tickets on windscreens. Have you seen one of their staff in PE uniform patrolling, or do you have some snitch in your company, or, if car park shared, a neighbouring company?

The_Deep

It is the will of Parliament that these scammers be put out of business. Hopefully that will take place in the near future. The Bill has passed through the HOC without hitch, and goes to the Lords soon. In the meantime involve your MP, the poor dears are buckling under the weight of complaints about these scammers. Read this one which I wrote earlier

This is an entirely unregulated industry which is scamming the public with inflated claims for minor breaches of alleged contracts for alleged parking offences, aided and abetted by a handful of low-rent solicitors. Is has been suggested by an MP that some of these companies may have connections to organised crime.

Parking Eye, CPM, Smart, (especially Smart}, and others have already been named and shamed in the House of Commons as have Gladstones Solicitors, and BW Legal, (these two law firms take hundreds of these cases to court each week), hospital car parks and residential complex tickets have been especially mentioned. They lose most of them, and have been reported to the regulatory authority by an M.P. for unprofessional conduct

The problem has become so widespread that MPs have agreed to enact a Bill to regulate these scammers.

Sir Greg Knight's Private Members Bill to curb the excesses, and perhaps close down, some of these companies passed its Third Reading in late November, and, with a fair wind, will become Law next year.

All three readings are available to watch on the internet, (some 6-7 hours), and published in Hansard. MPs have an extremely low opinion of the industry. Many are complaining that they are becoming overwhelmed by complaints from members of the public. Add to their burden, complain in the most robust terms about the scammers.

Atra

Many thanks for your reply.

Reference: Parking Charge Notice - xxxxx/xxxxx
POPLA Ref: xxxxxxxxxx

is what is in the email pdf sent to me when rejecting. I don't have the original fine notice handy. Is the POPLA Ref no. the POPLA code?

The car park is exclusive to my employer but there are separate sections for visitors but this was in the staff area. My employer is too big (don't want to name them openly) and don't get involved in parking matters.

I have occasionally seen their staff walking around. The car park isn't shared with any other company.

bigisi

Atra wrote: »

My employer is too big (don't want to name them openly) and don't get involved in parking matters.

Of course they get involved with parking matters, that's clear by the fact they've brought in a bunch of scammers in to target their own employees. Why you're not going at them with both barrels I don't know.

Always always always challenge the landowner as per the Newbies thread.

The_Deep

My employer is too big (don't want to name them openly) and don't get involved in parking matters.

They are involved, they are responsible in law for the actions of their poodle. Inform them that they are jointly liable, along with the PPC, and could be liable for any costs up as a result of this PCN.

Atra

The_Deep wrote: »

My employer is too big (don't want to name them openly) and don't get involved in parking matters.

They are involved, they are responsible in law for the actions of their poodle. Inform them that they are jointly liable, along with the PPC, and could be liable for any costs up as a result of this PCN.

I have heard from several colleagues who got fines who tried to contact - they just got told to contact PE. I will find out how to do it anyway and see if I have any joy. In the meantime should I progress with the POPLA appeal anyway at the risk of losing the opportunity to pay the reduced fine.

Atra

I have just contacted them and I have been told to appeal to Parking Eye which I have obviously done and been rejected. Should I just appeal to POPLA now?

Umkomaas

Atra wrote: »

I have just contacted them and I have been told to appeal to Parking Eye which I have obviously done and been rejected. Should I just appeal to POPLA now?

Use the POPLA ode. The NEWBIES FAQ sticky, post #3 provides guidance on how to do so.

steve1500

If they are huge company why won't you name them. There is little chance of them working out who you are.

You can't be the only person to have received an invoice?