Debt Recovery Plus from 2018

MrsOstrich

Good afternoon, I'm really hoping for some advice here. My hubby's work received the attached notice from Debt Recovery Plus the other day dated 09/12/2020. The original charge date was 12/07/2018. We had recently arrived back in the UK when this happened & thought parking was free after 6pm. We went to get fish & chips for the family. These are the steps we followed:

1. Spoke to the shop we bought from and they are not interested in helping.
2. Responded via email after the 28days but hubby's work only advised him of the charge months later:
Date: 11 September 2018 16:44 - To: parkingcharges@britannia-parking.co.uk - Subject: ParkingEye PCN, reference code - Email: It was recently brought to my attention by the company that I work for, that I incurred a parking charge by yourselves. (Please see attached). As I have recently moved here from South Africa, I had no idea it was a private car park. It was about 8.30pm at night, getting dark and I thought it was a council one where the restricted hours ended at 6.00pm. I wish to appeal this parking charge from ParkingEye on 12/07/2018 at 20.33.19, at Seafront, Canvey Island Car Park, as I was a patron of Bruno's Fish & Chip Shop (and I attached receipt). Considering the information given, please could this PCN be cancelled. 
3. Britannia's response: Under BPA guidelines (Section 22.7 - Complaints, Challenges and Appeals) and as noted on the PCN sent out to you, “All appeals must be received with 28 days from the date of our initial correspondence”. As this time has surpassed we are rejecting your appeal application. The final reminder we sent to you on 07/08/18 (we did not receive this) advises, “If this notice is ignored, further action may be taken including instruction of debt collection agencies, solicitors and or court proceedings, all of which will incur further costs. To avoid further unnecessary costs or actions please pay the Parking Charge within the aforementioned time period.” Britannia Parking laid clear the terms and details of our appeals process and payment to resolve this Parking Charge Notice. As this PCN has been passed to Debt Recovery, Britannia Parking have no further comments to add regarding this PCN. Please refer all correspondence to Debt Recovery Plus Ltd. 
4. Sent an email to Debt Recovery Plus:
Date: 24/09/2018 12:16 - To: info@drpl.co.uk - Subject: Fw: ParkingEye PCN, reference code - Email with my original response to Britannia included: Please see mail below. I really don't understand why I have to pay so much and as having recently moved over, wasn't aware nor can I afford this. I am still trying to get my children into school! Please urgently advise.
5. We did not receive a response until the attached notice was received by my hubby's company the other day with 7 days to respond/pay from 09/12/2020!

Coupon-mad

Welcome! 

You don't appear to have read the NEWBIES thread yet or you'd know not to respond to this silly letter (see post #4 of the sticky thread at the top of the forum, the only one in capital letters begging everyone to read it first).  The 4th post on that thread shows you these letters and asks for no threads about them.  No phoning DRP and no letting the workplace phone them.

However, if the letter is being addressed to his workplace and not the driver, the workplace must transfer liability, simply by emailing Britannia and telling them the name and address of the driver (postal address) that I assume your appeals didn't give Britannia in 2018? Or did they give the work address and not a postal home address?  That's what his work need to do now, then the driver (you?) can come back here if they take it further next year, at least the workplace won't be involved.

No-one here is telling you to pay this even once liability is transferred.  £116 is an odd amount!   Doesn't matter but just odd!

MrsOstrich

Thanks for your response, I am overwhelmed with the posts here tbh - probably in a bit of a panic too, so forgive me. It is now DRP that is dealing with it as Britannia passed it on, so should his work transfer liability to my hubby?

Coupon-mad

It isn't DRP dealing with it.  They are just sending pointless letters for Britannia.  His work transfers liability and I told you NOT to contact DRP...

Please stop and calm down, and read what I told you to read and stop taking DRP silly letters seriously.

MrsOstrich

When you say postal address - our home address is ok?

Le_Kirk

MrsOstrich said:

When you say postal address - our home address is ok?

Wherever you (well the driver that is being nominated) receive your post.  What you don't want is to miss a letter before/of claim or (worse) a claim form from CCBC because the PPC or solicitor has the wrong postal address.

D_P_Dance

You owe nothing unless a judge says you do.  You have been told to ignore debt collectors, do so, they are powerless.  Have you complained to your MP?

beamerguy

MrsOstrich said:

Thanks for your response, I am overwhelmed with the posts here tbh - probably in a bit of a panic too, so forgive me. It is now DRP that is dealing with it as Britannia passed it on, so should his work transfer liability to my hubby?

Don't panic MrsOstrich ....... DRP are members of the Muppet show, well known cloud dreamers and liars
If you have a cat, their letters are great to use as cat litter ..... that's if the cat is happy to sit on rubbish

MrsOstrich

Thanks to you all - I have advised my hubby's office manager to email Britannia and to name him as the driver - he has received the standard automatic reply from them. I will update once I know/receive anything more. 

@D_P_Dance I have not complained to my MP, no. Do you think I should?

Uptown_Boy

MrsOstrich said:

@D_P_Dance I have not complained to my MP, no. Do you think I should?

That's his default response to virtually any thread here.

Should you? Up to you.
Will it help? Who knows - it depends on how proactive your MP is, and whether this PPC even cares about MPs writing to them.

Fruitcake

MrsOstrich said:

Thanks to you all - I have advised my hubby's office manager to email Britannia and to name him as the driver - he has received the standard automatic reply from them. I will update once I know/receive anything more. 

@D_P_Dance I have not complained to my MP, no. Do you think I should?

NO! Hubby's office should advice the PPC that he was the hirer/lessee/day-to-day keeper. The Driver is not involved and their identity should not be revealed under any circumstances.

Could you please also explain what ParkingEye have got to do with a Britannia parking charge?