Debt recovery - too late to fight?

RBizz

Having never received a parking ticket before I am a bit stuck and need some advice

2 months ago I received 2 parking tickets from the same private company, the second ticket I am ignoring since the company I work for own the land and have the contract with the parking enforcement company, they have said they will speak to them about cancelling the ticket (since I am able to park there)

The first ticket was issued by the same company but for another area. This area I park at regularly (since its a parade of shops near a building I visit regularly for work) I have parked there for months with no issue until one day I received a notice through the post (nothing was left on my windscreen etc.)

Apparently I had parked on a restricted area at the shops, I had never seen a sign or any indication that some of the parking at the site was restricted so I emailed and filled out the challenge your ticket form on the enforcement companies website. The reply I got was a picture of a tiny sign which was placed on top of one of the shops store name signs, however this only mentions there is some enforcement in the area, I know for a fact some of the parking spaces are not restricted and there is no way to tell which areas are restricted or not on the site.

After this I didn't pay the fine, and thought it was the end (even though they disagreed with my challenge of the fine)

I have now received a notice that the fine has been sent to a debt recovery agency - its their clients final offer to settle the ticket before taking it further.

Is it too late now to still challenge the ticket, should I just pay it to avoid being taken to court?

TIA

Coupon-mad

Having never received a parking ticket before I am a bit stuck and need some advice

Which is why the NEWBIES FAQS thread exists. Loads of people are like you and post #4 of the NEWBIES thread begs for no threads about tedious debt letters stage (because we are too busy).

Please read post #4 of the sticky thread, no need for further advice.

Come back if you get to court stage.

Which PPC is it? No need to ask about the acronyms either - see post #5 of the sticky.

Fruitcake

Get pics of the site and signage.

Complain to the landowner.

Complain to your MP about this unregulated scam.

Thoroughly read the relevant parts of the sticky thread for NEWBIES.