Nurse with private parking ticket

Sqwidge

Hello
I'm a community nurse and got an emergency call out at midnight , I parked in my patients allocated space on a private estate,, and went into see my patient., on returning with a permit from the patient I had a parking charge notice on my car ( from parking and management) , I sent a photo of my car in the correct bay , a picture of the permit and a letter from my manager staring I was a nurse on duty - they have rejected it saying they watched my car for 7 minutes therefore need to be fined . I explained the patient is on the top floor and it was not possible to return to quickly . I appealed to the IAS who rejected it saying I need a permit at ALL times ? Which is impossible as we need to leave our cars to go and obtain a permit ?? I phoned them up and they said they will get their solicitor who knows parking laws and will fight it in court
Please can anyone advice me on where to go now - as the last thing I want to do is stand in court but I know I was in my right to park there whilst on duty as a nurse .
Many thanks

Umkomaas

Please can anyone advice me on where to go now

Nowhere 'to go' now, just wait and see what the parking firm's next move is. If they issue court papers, come back here on this thread and we will help you.

While we never predict how court cases will end, I think it would take a very strong argument by the PPC to persuade a Judge that they had any case at all.

The parking company name you have given isn't one I recognise. Please check their full name (from the paperwork they've sent you) and confirm.

the last thing I want to do is stand in court

I think you've got the wrong idea of what the small claims court is like.

Have a look at this short video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n93eoaxhzpU

(Credit KeithP for link)

The_Deep

they watched my car for 7 minutes therefore need to be fined

You were not fined, this is an invoice for the damage you caused by putting you patient's need before their greed. It is probably contrary to their ATA's code of practice wrt grace periods. Let them take you to court and see what a judge thinks about it.

Also, try to get you local newspaper involved and complain to your MP.
as 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.
mt's nnes myt