ANPR 5+2 Minutes

[Deleted User]

A quick question if I may before I go to the lengths of posting the full gory details:

I dropped my young daughter at a local College football pitch that, unbeknown to me, had introduced ANPR cameras. The signs were not clear and legible in the dark (high-up, parallel to the road, small font) and I only even noticed them on the way out. Apparently, my crime was going 2 minutes over a 5 minute grace period (i.e. 7 minutes in total) during which I went to the end of the approach road, turned around and briefly waited as my daughter's football coach walked toward us to safely meet her. I received a PCN for £60 which was excessive given that I wasn't made aware of being in a contract, and wasn't in the area for long.

Is 5+2 minutes fair given I had no idea that I was in a contract?

Umkomaas

Have you read the NEWBIES FAQ sticky, post #1 yet? It will describe the game in which you are now entangled and how you start to try to disentangle yourself.

Which parking firm?

Coupon-mad

Is 5+2 minutes fair given I had no idea that I was in a contract?

No.

Let me guess, this is an IPC firm like UKCPS, PCM, NPE, LPS, etc?

[Deleted User]

Thanks for your prompt replies. It's Minster Baywatch.

I have read the Stickies and already made replies but due to work commitments can't post the full details right now. The principle of 5+2 minutes grace is, to my mind, very unfair by MB and the College.

Umkomaas

neversay wrote: »

Thanks for your prompt replies. It's Minster Baywatch.

I have read the Stickies and already made replies but due to work commitments can't post the full details right now. The principle of 5+2 minutes grace is, to my mind, very unfair by MB and the College.

Complain to the BPA - Steve Clark - as the BPA require their operators (which MB are) to offer a minimum of 10 minutes grace period.

steve.c@britishparking.co.uk

Section 13 of their Code of Practice applies.

https://www.britishparking.co.uk/write/BPA_AOS_CODE_OF_PRACTICE_CURRENT.pdf

In addition to the above action, you will still need to go through the appeals process with MB (and maybe to POPLA in due course), as per the NEWBIES FAQ sticky.

Half_way

read the newbies thread, get in touch with the college, tell them that their agents are in breech of their own trade associations choose of practice, and have accessed/processed your data without due cause, putting the college in a potential breach of the GDPR regulations

Coupon-mad

Depends if this was a place where parking was allowed, or prohibited.

What did the sign say, can you get a photo for us to see? And some photos IN THE DARK as well, ready to win at POPLA by showing the place is unlit.

The good thing is it's MB which means you get POPLA stage; worth trying with our help.

[Deleted User]

I have tried to upload photographs at the following link:

https://imgur.com/a/IPFradH

It was a very dark evening when it happened and the whole area was dimly lit with no specific lighting for any of the signs.

I'm not even sure that the 5-minute grace period is enough to enter the zone, park the car, read the 'contract', get back in the car and leave the ANPR zone.

Thank you all for your comments so far - I am extremely grateful.

Neil.

D_P_Dance

Also get your MP on side this is a blatant attempt to scam you, they are aware of the grace periods to which they must adhere.

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.

Coupon-mad

I would not show the A Board picture to POPLA, as they might not understand that it was hidden from view.

I doubt MB have a picture of it, so for safety, remove it from your link!

Add a picture that shows ''and here is how those yellow signs look in the dark'' (pitch black). That would win it at POPLA along with your other photos (minus the A Board pic). Go and get some really damning night time photos, not just at dusk, go LATE at night and walk up to the sign and use no flash. You will get a pitch black photo...use it to win.