P4parking Scotland - Getting worried

Thebaker

Hi folks,

I got a parking charge for parking in a residential street in Edinburgh

I saw a sign on the way in indicating that it was restricted, however looking at every car I could see, none had a permit, so I assumed it was not enforced.

I got a windscreen ticket and first thing I did was appeal after 14 days. In this appeal process, I've foolishly given them my name and address.

My appeal was obviously denied.

Since then I sent a written appeal to popla. And then I just forgot about it. Like it totally slipped my mind.

I got a notice today in the post, saying that they are involving a solicitors "Gladstone something". Ow this came as a shock because I didn't get the first request just seems to have escalated straight to solicitors.

I'm a little worried that they are going to keep chasing me for this and eventually take me to court.

What can I do about this if anything, or do I just have to cough up the extortionate £100.

Any help would be appreciated.

Apologies for the rambling post. I'm just kinda freaking out now.

Thanks

Mr Baker

Quentin

Did you reveal who was driving in either appeals,!

If not you need to edit your post to remove details of who was driving

Read up in the newbies FAQ thread near the top of the forum to get an understanding of the game you are now caught up in

There is a separate section with advice for Scottish pcns

pogofish

Were you offered/advised to appeal to POPLA by the PPC, or did you just take complete leave of your senses..?

oldernonethewiser

Is this a residential street in Edinburgh managed by a Private Parking Company?


Most are looked after by the local council.

Thebaker

Quentin wrote: »

Did you reveal who was driving in either appeals,!

If not you need to edit your post to remove details of who was driving

Read up in the newbies FAQ thread near the top of the forum to get an understanding of the game you are now caught up in

Sadly, yes I did reveal who was driving. I'd been following the guidance from some colleagues. But I now realise that was bad advice. So I went searching and found this thread.


There is a separate section with advice for Scottish pcns

pogofish wrote: »

Were you offered/advised to appeal to POPLA by the PPC, or did you just take complete leave of your senses..?

I was offered to apply to POPLA. Which I did.
But it's only just dawned on me after I got this solicitors letter that I hadn't heard back from them and they aren't open on weekends to call.

Hasbeen

oldernonethewiser wrote: »

Is this a residential street in Edinburgh managed by a Private Parking Company?


Most are looked after by the local council.

I would have said all are managed by the council as its a big money earner for them. So surprised by letter from Gladstones.


As long as Op did not reveal who was driving?

Hasbeen

Hasbeen wrote: »

I would have said all are managed by the council as its a big money earner for them. So surprised by letter from Gladstones.


As long as Op did not reveal who was driving?

Oops sorry reread it appears the OP did:(

The_Deep

Gladstones may well be acting as debt collectors, it depends on the wording. If they use words such as "may consider legal action" they are, and can be ignored.

Nine times out of ten these tickets are scams so consider complaining 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.

Umkomaas

To whom does the Gladstone's letter tell you to pay?

Thebaker

The letter isn't from glad stones. It's from. P4parking saying that they are involving their solicitors glad stones.
From reading about these scammers it seems like I'm doing exactly what they want, panicking.

Seems like the course of action is just to keep ignoring them.

Can they send debt collectors to my property?

Any idea when they will give up?

Quentin

There won't be any debt collectors calling

They have 5 years in Scotland to start legal proceedings against you