ANPR fault - VCS Berkeley precinct, Help!

RobinofLoxley

The Berkley Centre was for many years a free car park with a 2 hours maximum stay limit.

I believe sometime around late Summer/ Autumn of 2018 it was changed to a 2 hour maximum stay but with only the 1st hour free and the 2nd hour having to be paid for. This seems to have caught out many people who were used to it being 2 hours free.

To confuse things even more the paid for period between hours 1 and 2 has to be paid for on entry at the start of the parking period. The fee can't be paid at the end of the free hour period if you realise you are going to be there for more than an hour.

So when you park up you have to decide whether to not buy a ticket and be sure to leave before the hour is up or pay for a ticket just in case you might go over the hour.

Obviously a deliberate ploy by VCS to confuse and catch out motorists resulting in more PCN's. Kerching!

Christie2692 recently won in court v VCS for this car park. Inadequate signage was the winning point.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6000107/witness-statement-advice-please-vcs

Redx

juli wrote: »

Have you any update on this claim. I parked my husbands car there in Autumn 2019. stayed just over an hour ( I believe you can stay for 2 hours free) but did not buy a ticket -as I didnt see a machine. It was dark and wet and I found a space immediately near the entrance, plus I believed it was free.)
We initially appealed -it was rejected
My husband has now received a letter from small claims court.
Not sure how to proceed
Would love to hear from you and others experiences/ advice.
many thanks

You mean autumn 2018, unless he has a De Lorean ?

Start a new thread please and post the name of the claimant and the issue date from the top right of the claim form

The_Deep

Before you start a new tread please read the stickies/FAQs. Therein lies the answers to many of the questions you will have.

ss1591ss

A news report everyone needs to read:


https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/motorist-made-to-feel-like-a-criminal-after-incurring-parking-fine-at-sheffield-shopping-centre-146877

The_Deep

What are they thinking, there is a Tesco a Costa and a Boots there. One hour is clearly insufficient. Why are the retailers not up in arms.

Also, I note that the£100 in the signs is in very small print. This would negate the contract imo.

Bananasparking

Important for both the original poster and most recent replies but the sign at the entrance states the car park is managed by Excel parking while the signs next to the pay and display machine say it is VCS which adds to any defence as it is unclear who any contract is being formed with.

ss1591ss

Bananasparking wrote: »

Important for both the original poster and most recent replies but the sign at the entrance states the car park is managed by Excel parking while the signs next to the pay and display machine say it is VCS which adds to any defence as it is unclear who any contract is being formed with.

All signs have the Excel logo in a corner, however the letters come from VCS

RobinofLoxley

There is conflicting signage all over the car park.

The signs by the entrance are Excel and state that 'Excel Parking Services Ltd manage and control this private car park'.

Signs within the car park and near the pay machines are Excel style, blue and yellow with a large Excel logo. Though state in a small font 'by entering this private car park you are entering into a contract with Vehicle control services Ltd' and identify VCS as the creditor.

The pay machines despite having Excel logos on them, have in very small font at the bottom of the T & C's 'this car park is controlled and managed by Vehicle Control Services Ltd'.

ss1591ss

RobinofLoxley wrote: »

There is conflicting signage all over the car park.

The signs by the entrance are Excel and state that 'Excel Parking Services Ltd manage and control this private car park'.

Signs within the car park and near the pay machines are Excel style, blue and yellow with a large Excel logo. Though state in a small font 'by entering this private car park you are entering into a contract with Vehicle control services Ltd' and identify VCS as the creditor.

The pay machines despite having Excel logos on them, have in very small font at the bottom of the T & C's 'this car park is controlled and managed by Vehicle Control Services Ltd'.

yes you are correct

Podling

We've got home to PCN from this company and car park tonight, from a visit in January this year. However, when we looked more closely at the photos, because we didnt agree with the timestamp, it quite clearly shows we have a bike rack on the back of the car on the first photo, but not on the second! Also, when we looked at the first photo, the date is 2014! We are appealing and complaining the fraud helpline people. I'll also be contacting my MP.

Thanks for this advice in the thread. We definitely wont be paying and if they want to try and squirm out of this in court, they can.