UKPC Parking Charge

Healthking

Hi Forum members

Apologies if this is covered in earlier posts but I could not find it. We parked our car in a 'normal' parking bay as there was not a 'disabled bay' free. The blue badge had slipped onto the footwell of the car and whilst we were in a restaurant we received a parking fine of £60 with the threat of this rising to £100 if not paid within 2 weeks.

We appealed this decision explaining that the blue badge had fallen onto the floor.

We have received an outcome letter that has stated the blue badge can only be used in a disabled bay and does not count if used in a normal parking bay and have therefore rejected our appeal.

What further action can we take if any?

We feel that this charge is totally disproportionate anyway but we have never heard that the blue badge only counts when used in a disabled bay? Is this correct?

KeithP

On private land the PPC decides on what terms they'll allow one to park. If one of those terms is "a blue badge only has relevance in disabled bays", then that's how it is.

They will allege that by parking the driver agreed to the terms.

Didn't UKPC supply a PoPLA verification code?

Your next step is to appeal to PoPLA.

Post #3 in the NEWBIES FAQ sticky thread offers good guidance on how to compile a winning PoPLA appeal.

But first you need to edit your post to remove clues to the driver's identity.
The parking companies trawl this forum just waiting for people to trip themselves up and can try and use your posts against you.

Healthking

Hi Keith

Thanks for this response so quickly.

We haven't received a PoPLA code, but the letter we received states that a PoPLA verification code will be supplied when they make their final decision unless we submit a further appeal by submitting a valid pay and display ticket.

Disable parking is free in this particular car park and I have not seen any evidence suggesting that the blue badge is only valid when using a disable bay.

beamerguy

Healthking wrote: »

Hi Keith

Thanks for this response so quickly.

We haven't received a PoPLA code, but the letter we received states that a PoPLA verification code will be supplied when they make their final decision unless we submit a further appeal by submitting a valid pay and display ticket.

Disable parking is free in this particular car park and I have not seen any evidence suggesting that the blue badge is only valid when using a disable bay.

Understand about this fraudster. They fake pictures and have been banned by the DVLA twice

Signs are important so you need to establish .... "do the signs say that payment is required if you are disabled"

Never seen that on a UKPC sign

Await your POPLA code and come back here

The_Deep

UKPC are fraudsters

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

http://parking-prankster.blogspot.com/

Please read about the "reasonable adjustments" service providers are required by law to cater for those with "protected characteristics" under The Equality Act 2010, and take the matter up with your MP. In my opinion UKPC should have cancelled the charge as soon as they were aware that the driver/passenger held a BB.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equality-act-2010-guidance

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.


mp.