Staff and Patient Parking...but NOT!

Jinius

I have tried to pick my way through all the FAQs and past threads but still not sure, so please don't beat me over the head for asking.
I received a red window screen ticket 'Not a PCN' type on 28/03/2019 and found this site for advice so didn't do anything, but then I received a NTK on 03/04/2019 before going abroad for a volunteering project for a month from 13/04/2019 - 15/05/2019 so had to put the whole thing on hold. I had a Final Reminder £100 and a debt collector's letter waiting when I got back last week and today I got another letter called Demand For Payment £160.
One reason I haven't done anything constructive is that it's really difficult to see into the jungle of advices, but the loudest most repeated one seems to be Do Not Reply to anyone by any means. I am keeping my nerve but Ifeel I haven't a clue what I am doing. Should I be sending an appeal or not?
I had parked in front of my work base's front door ..Community Mental Health Team. There was a white sign directly ahead of my parking space on the building saying Parking for Staff and Patients only. I am staff. I work for NHS. I found out since there is a card we can put in our car, but otherwise to park a distance away. It was my first day back after almost 6 months leave for a family crisis in which my daughter was seriously ill. I didn't know about the sign. I had never parked next the building before because I used to like a walk. I didn't think to look to the side of the white sign where a red sign says you have to display that you work there to avoid a fine. Black writing on a red sign! Next to a sign saying it was parking for staff! I am not even sure the red sign was there before I went away for this last month, but it probably was.
I know everyone is busy, but could someone be kind enough to give me a heads up on what to do next... or first ..please? Or point me to the right threads so I don't need to put aside several days to find the information I need. I do appreciate you have made it as easy as possible for people and I appreciate the hard work. Excuse my nickname...It's not true at all!

waamo

Have you tried getting your boss to cancel it?

Quentin

You didn't get any advice here to "do not reply"!

Now you are too late for any appeal.

See #4 in the FAQ

You are in the debt collection stage

Now ignore everything except a lbcca or court correspondence

If it comes to that then come back to the FAQ for advice on how to deal with the court

They have 6 years to start legal proceedings against you

The_Deep

Have you read this?

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles

Nine times out of ten these tickets are scams so complain to your MP.

Parliament is well aware of the MO of these private parking companies, and on 15th March 2019 a Bill was enacted to curb the excesses of these shysters. 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, persistent offenders denied access to the DVLA database and unable to operate.

Hopefully life will become impossible for the worst of these scammers, but 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.

KeithP

Jinius, please can you find a moment to post a more meaningful thread title.

To do that, go into edit on your opening post.
The click on Go Advanced.
Then type something suitable in the Title box.

Coupon-mad

waamo wrote: »

Have you tried getting your boss to cancel it?

Agreed, in these circumstances it will be the fist thing to do!

I had parked in front of my work base's front door ..Community Mental Health Team.

There was a white sign directly ahead of my parking space on the building saying Parking for Staff and Patients only. I am staff. I work for NHS. I found out since there is a card we can put in our car, but otherwise to park a distance away.

It was my first day back after almost 6 months leave for a family crisis in which my daughter was seriously ill. I didn't know about the sign. I had never parked next the building before because I used to like a walk.

If a Community Mental Health Team can't step in and cancel this aggressive extortionate demand, for a vulnerable staff member just back after a traumatic few months, then I despair.

Jinius

I will double check but a colleague told me you are on your own because the team managers haven't got time and it's nothing to do with them.

Jinius

I wasn't in the country anyway until after the appeal stage.

Jinius

I will complain to my MP. thanks for the link to the new legislation.

Coupon-mad

it's nothing to do with them.

Really? Who contracted the parking scammers then, a separate landowner?

Jinius

I will go to my boss armed with that page about NHS parking. It's not an enclosed hospital grounds as it's a community building but the space I parked in obviously looks like it belongs to the building... you have to drive into it and it's bang in front of the entrance, the signage was clear about it being staff and patient parking and not clear about having to display a card in your car to avoid fines. Fingers crossed!