POPLA System Down

rjhoare

My company received a postal PCN from Euro Car Parks in late August for a company HGV I had driven into the MRH Esso Cobham, Gravesend, their charge being that I was in Breach of Terms and Conditions "The vehicle was parked without a valid Pay by Phone transaction" and which I subsequently appealed, based on the fact that the only evidence of my being parked was a photo of my vehicle number plate entering the site (with a typewritten Entry and Exit date and time below each photo).

My appeal was based on the fact that there was absolutely no evidence whatsoever provided that I was actually parked for that length of time as it suggests that I stopped on the entry slip road - and yet how could I still be parked on the exit slip road?? I know I am being pedantic.

Needless to say my appeal was declined and I was provided a POPLA Appeal Code with 28 days to appeal.

I thus waited the full 28 days to do the online appeal to POPLA (I was in Thailand for their first 21 days and then straight into work the remainder) . Unfortunately the POPLA system had crashed due to an "unclosed literal string. Line 85, position 227".

I subsequently telephoned POPLA who informed me that "many hundreds" of individual appeals had the same problem and that as my Appeal Code had now expired I would have do do a Postal Appeal.

I completed the Postal Appeal and posted it 1st Class - and no acknowledgement was received. I then again telephoned POPLA and was told that there was a back log of postal appeals and I should be patient. They would get back to me eventually!

I was then sent another Postal Appeal form dated 27 November with a 10 day grace period, but in the meantime I also received a Final Notification Letter from Euro Car Parks dated 26 November.

I emailed ECP that I was still appealing via POPLA and ECP kindly replied that "POPLA will send you confirmation once your appeal has been received. In addition, you will receive further correspondence from them once the result of the appeal has been decided."

As to date, no confirmation nor correspondence has been received from POPLA!

So my questions are; Do I wait for POPLA to acknowledge my original postal appeal.... eventually? Do I continue to telephone POPLA chasing acknowledgement of my appeal? Or do I just wait and hope everything just dies a slow death?

beamerguy

Email POPLA again ..... the problem POPLA has is not yours

Fruitcake

You, and as many people in your company as possible, should separately complain to your and their MPs about this unregulated scam using the info in red from the NEWBIES.

Remember, when you eventually get your PoPLA result, it is not binding on the motorist if you lose.

rjhoare

Hi Beamerguy & Fruitcake,

Hopefully this message gets to both of you but I will also copy to Fruitcake anyway!
I eventually received a letter from POPLA dated 13 December 2018 regards my parking charge appeal saying that ECP have 21 days to submit a case file containing any information it holds relating to my Appeal, by post.
It will be interesting to see what is provided.

But it is now 3rd January 2019 ie 21 days later!!

waamo

Check on the POPLA portal tomorrow to see if they have submitted anything.

beamerguy

rjhoare wrote: »

Hi Beamerguy & Fruitcake,

Hopefully this message gets to both of you but I will also copy to Fruitcake anyway!
I eventually received a letter from POPLA dated 13 December 2018 regards my parking charge appeal saying that ECP have 21 days to submit a case file containing any information it holds relating to my Appeal, by post.
It will be interesting to see what is provided.

But it is now 3rd January 2019 ie 21 days later!!

Allow for Christmas and New Year

rjhoare

So now POPLA have sent me a letter dated 28th December 2018 saying they have received a copy of the Case File from ECP and that ECP will have sent me a copy by post. I will have 14 days to respond. As yet 7th January 2019 I have yet to receive my copy of the Case File and I will (yet again) try to speak to someone at ECP - but it is like pulling teeth!!

Redx

report them to popla and ask for extra time due to the ECP delay

rjhoare

RE: Euro Car Parks Case File

Is there really any point for me trying to appeal against this PCN?

My understanding is that POPLA is funded in part by ECP, so I am really appealing against one of the many companies that pay your wages and company expenses? They now want to charge me for parking when there is no proof whatsoever that I was parked for that length of time!

Needless to say, I doubt very much if there is a conflict of interest on behalf of POPLA. Then again, is the Pope Catholic?

But, hey ho, I will try anyway.

ECP's case file against me has completely and utterly failed to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that I was PARKED. ECP's case file against me was a standard 'cut and paste' job. POPLA know it and any idiot
on the high street will see it.

There is no proof whatsoever that ECP can provide proof that I was PARKED for the length of time they say I was. There are photo's of parked/stationary vehicles in the case file - none of which relate to the vehicle I was driving.

So agree with those who pay your wages and maybe stop pretending that POPLA are an independent organisation.

I know the answer to this appeal - but go on - write the letter!!

KeithP

I don't know what your most recent post is about but one thing is certain - it needs several immediate edits.

Is that your PCN number there? If so remove it.

Is that your real name at the bottom? If so, remove it?

Remove the other reference number too.


Now that we have seen your real name, you would be wise to get your forum username changed to something very much more anonymous.

To help with that, you might like to read this short extract from The MSE Forum Guide - Frequently Asked Questions & Rules:

Q. How can I change my username?

A. In most circumstances, this is not permitted.

The only reason we will change your username is if it puts your privacy at risk. This usually means you've inadvertently registered using your name, email address or something that gives away your identity within your username.

If you fall into this category, email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com and request that it is changed, giving three alternative usernames in order of preference.

Coupon-mad

You can't send those ranty comments to POPLA...even I wouldn't!