PCN received for "Stopping" - VCS

ggood93

Hi All,

I've read through the newbies post, however the PCN I have received is under a little different circumstances to what is talked about in there, and I'm unable to find anything similar on previous posts (apologies if I've missed anything).

I received a PCN on the 9th March in the form of a letter in the post from VCS (Vehicle Control Services) for "Stopping in a zone where stopping is strictly prohibited". The "offence" happened in Pontefract beside Wickes for anyone who is familiar with the area.

I pulled into the car park and pulled into a lay-by looking area (as can be seen in the letter) and was stopped there for only a couple of minutes (the images taken in the letter appear to be from CCTV and are over the course of 1 minute 9 seconds). I didn't get out of the vehicle,and had simply pulled in to sort my sat-nav before continuing on, however ended up pulling into Wickes car park to make a call and then continuing on my way.

What I didn't realise was the A4ish sized "No stopping" sign on the fence beside - I appreciate that there's a no stopping rule, however I was there for a short period of time, wasn't blocking anything and never left the vehicle therefore the charge seems unreasonable.


Unfortunately due to a family emergency this has taken a back seat until now, so I have missed the initial 2 week windows where the charge is halved, and also the 21 days in which they claim an appeal can be submitted - however I'm hoping someone here can advise the best way to go about appealing this regardless?

I'm currently unable to add attachments/images (new user) but have some images hosted elsewhere of the letter I received and signage in the car park,which I can share if needed.

Any help anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Coupon-mad

Ignore VCS unless they try a claim. No IPC firm offers any fair appeal anyway.

You can find VCS no stopping threads that have been won in court, by searching the forum for those keywords. The search works really well when you change the default to SHOW RESULTS AS POSTS.

Most similar VCS cases we see are about roads on a business park near an airport but it's the same thing and we have loads of threads for you to read. We see posters like you, ordinary non-legal people, win 99% of them and there is no CCJ risk as long as you keep VCS updated if you move house within the 6 years that a claim can be filed in this Country (a standard claims timeline limit).

The only other thing you can do is try a complaint to Wickes if VCS are within that car park too; Wickes may have clout to cancel if so.

D_P_Dance

Complain to your MP. On 18th March 2019 a Bill was enacted to curb the excesses of these private parking companies. Codes of Practice are being drawn up, an independent appeals service will be set up, and access to the DVLA's date base more rigorously policed, and persistent offenders denied access. Hopefully life will become impossible for the worst of these scammers.

Until this is done you should still complain to your MP, citing the new legislation.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2019/8/contents/enacted

Just as the clampers were finally closed down, so hopefully will many of these Private Parking Companies.

ggood93

Sorry for dragging up an old thread however I am due in county court regarding this in a couple of weeks so am currently preparing.

I've submitted my witness statement etc, but have received no correspondence from VCS during the claim/defence process. Should I not have received their directions questionnaire and witness statement?

KeithP

Yes, you should've seen their DQ at about the time the CCBC asked you to complete one.

They have the same target date as you for filing (with the court) and serving (on the other party) their Witness Statement and evidence.

I hope you sent your WS and evidence and costs assessment to both the Court and Claimant.

ggood93

I thought so, just couldn't find a solid answer.
Does the fact I haven't received either the DQ or Witness statement have any affect on the overall case? Should I be notifying the court or anything?

And yes, I have sent copies of my documents to both court and claimant as instructed on communications from the court and have followed instructions/advice from the pinned post too along the way.

KeithP

Not receiving their DQ is no great loss - hardly put you at any disadvantage.

This thread - Claim Form received - VCS - by @lyndonp59 has some in depth discussion on how to deal with a late Witness Statement from the Claimant.

Look around. There are no new questions - well, hardly any.