Gladstone's and UKCPM letters before claim. Advice needed

jonnyfriendly

Hi
I could do with some advice about Gladstone’s operating on behalf of UK Car Park Management ltd.
They have just sent me a second letter before claim regarding an alleged offence dating from last December at a UKCPM operated car park.

The car park in question is my place of work where I received a ticket for parking on a frequently used hatched area (no signage) while unloading my car. I had placed a clear note inside windscreen saying I was unloading and giving the location of the reception and my whereabouts in the building.

I have photos of the car with the note in and the poorly signed hatched area where it was parked. I also have images of the badly signed car park + a small sign nearby saying 20mins free parking (no specific unloading signs)
When I first got the ticket in December I appealed via the UKCPM website link and was told the address could not be found and that the mailbox was not available ( I have screenshot of this). So was unable to appeal.
I tried again in February and this time got a response saying that the appeal was received and was being processed.(I have a screen-shot of this).
I have had no formal response to my appeal since – appears to have been ignored.

Since Feb I have a few standard demands for the payment which has now increased from £60 to £160. Recently I have been sent 2 letters before claim – first in Aug and the second a few days ago – the latest offering me an extended period to pay before Sept 19th.
I immediately sent a subject access request to UKCPM and have had reply from them asking me to fill out some forms which I have done requesting their responses to my previous appeals (heard nothing since)

My questions are

1. What is my next step – do I just sit tight ?
2. Are they able to get away without responding to my online appeals ?
3. Where does the onus of proof lie ? i.e I feel they need to prove to me that they have allowed me a reasonable time to unload (at least 20mins) before ticketing. As far as I know their local agent whizzes around on his moped every week or so ticketing anything that remotely infringes. Apparently he is on a bonus.
4. Gladstone’s have offered me access their online reply system if I feel there is a valid reason for non-payment
Is it a good idea to use this given I’ve had no response in the past from UKCPM ?

Any helpful response would be gratefully appreciated

Thanks in advance
j

nosferatu1001

HAve you read the newbies thread?

1) Read the newbies thread. LBC are ALWAYS responded to
2) Yes
3) They dont HAVE to allow unloaind time on private land, that the point - there are no regulations. However if for example denying unloading would make it intolerable then you can argue unloading must be allowed

Also - you say badly signed but dont really say how, or what they DO allow.

4) Hell no. Dont use their online response.

But again, the NEWBIES thread, thats really obvious, is yuor first port of call.

jonnyfriendly

Thanks - I will have another look at the Newbies

KeithP

Is this a continuation of the thread you started in March:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5973726/ukcpm-ias-appeal ?

jonnyfriendly

Yes Keith it is indeed
I have read newbies - still not sure how to proceed
Have decided to sit tight for now
I'm wondering if court papers may be their next move
j

beamerguy

jonnyfriendly wrote: »

Yes Keith it is indeed
I have read newbies - still not sure how to proceed
Have decided to sit tight for now
I'm wondering if court papers may be their next move
j

Problem is, two threads can get lead to confusion and mixes up the story. Please continue posting on your thread
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5973726/ukcpm-ias-appeal

Then we can tell you all about the incompetent Gladstones

jonnyfriendly

OK - will do

The_Deep

Next time you post, please use your original thread.

Have you complained to your MP?

jonnyfriendly

Have posted to original thread