Athena Civil Parking Charge Notice - Lidl Car Park Dundee

NathanBrown123

Hi,

I am new to this website and came across here as I was googling civil parking charges and how to deal with them. I had never even knew such a thing existed until yesterday.

Being new to the area the driver parked at the Lidls car park in dundee and nipped into the shopping centre (not Lidls) as it was easier for them to find than the entrance to the actual multi story car park for the shopping centre. Admittedly the driver did see the signs but the car park was half empty and others were doing the same thing so the driver assumed it was merely a bogus threat.

So upon parking there for a second time as the driver was doing last of Christmas shopping yesterday they come home to one of these letters from Athena ANPR Ltd saying they must pay £90 or can pay £45 if they pay within 2 weeks. First thought was great as the driver had just done the same today and only now received the letter for the first one so another one will most likely be following shortly.

I have read that even though it is only a civil charge its best not to ignore these - so any advice on how to deal with this is much appreciated :j

Le_Kirk

Have you read the NEWBIE sticky post # 1 about special advice if you are in SCOTLAND? Although that might be changing in the near future, read it now.

NathanBrown123

Hi,

Thanks for your reply, no I haven't where can I find this?

Le_Kirk

Front page of the forum, just below where you clicked on the NEW THREAD button. Or, one click back, third thread down.

BrownTrout

Athena are the easiest parking company in the UK to beat.
Even corbyn could beat them........

NathanBrown123

@Le_kirk i found it thanks. So basically the driver should just get in touch with the management at the Lidls store they parked at? Should they wait until they get the second letter for yesterday or do it as soon as?

NathanBrown123

@Browntrout lol I hope so:rotfl:

The_Deep

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]http://parking-prankster.blogspot.com/2016/11/residential-parking.html[/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]what does your lease/AST say about parking? Does it mention the need to display a permit? If not then it may take primacy over the self serving TnC of the scammer, and interfere with your lawful right to “quiet enjoyment” of your property, possible an offence under The Landlord and Tenants Acts.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Nine times out of ten these tickets are scams, so consider complaining to your MP., it can cause the scammer extra costs and work, and in some cases, cancellation.

Parliament is well aware of the MO of these private parking companies, many of whom are former clampers, 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.[/FONT]

Le_Kirk

NathanBrown123 wrote: »

@Le_kirk i found it thanks. So basically just get in touch with the management at the Lidls store I parked at? Should I wait til I get the second letter for yesterday or do it as soon as?

You might be better off waiting for the second letter and then you can kill two birds with one stone, rather than popping into Lidl twice and having then say, we did it the first time, didn't you learn your lesson? Sometimes they will only cancel it as "we will do it this time as a courtesy as it was the first time it happened!" If/when you do go, don't overstay your welcome in the car park. When you do complain to Lidl, don't say "I" parked as you give away the driver.

KeithP

The Deep, the OP was parked at a Lidl store.

This has nothing to do with residential parking.

Umkomaas

KeithP wrote: »

The Deep, the OP was parked at a Lidl store.

This has nothing to do with residential parking.

He was supposed to be putting the sherry in the trifle!

:doh: