Civil Enforcement

Tabbybea

Hi all,

Like many people I have read the Newbies FAQs but my next steps are unclear, so apologies in advance. 

I recently went to a Costa Coffee Drive Thru and parked up to have a coffee with my 93 y/o Dad who has dementia - he talks for hours, so we stayed for just over 2 and he had a ball.  Only now I've received a PCN letter for £60... I didn't see a sign limiting us to 90 minutes (but tbh it never occurred to me since it's a CAFE and people sit and talk in cafes...) Certainly none of the staff warned us or commented.  I now see that this is a very common story but I'm a) livid and b) unable to afford the fine.  Mostly though I'm livid.

I've tried contacting Costa via Twitter but no reply so far.  I should call the actual cafe but I'm concerned about the advice not to mention my name as the driver - how do I explain without mentioning I was driving?  

Their letter clearly shows my car with timings entering & leaving on 6th July and it was issued on the 15th.

I'd be really grateful for your advice in words of less than one syllabub since I'm totally cross-eyed.  

Thank you.
Tabby

Coupon-mad

how do I explain without mentioning I was driving?  

Wow, we were only asked this yesterday and it's simple:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/78484265/#Comment_78484265

As for the complaint & appeal, your Dad needs more time BY LAW.  Copy stuff from this reply I just did:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/78486739/#Comment_78486739

Put that into a complaint and same in an appeal, saying 'we' not 'I'.  Accuse both CEL and Costa of disability discrimination.  Be REALLY robust about this complaint.

Fruitcake

Do not 'phone anyone. A 'phone call is not worth the paper upon which it is writ.

All complaints must be in writing to the cafe manager/CEO and landowner if different.

fisherjim

Tabbybea said:

 I didn't see a sign limiting us to 90 minutes (but tbh it never occurred to me since it's a CAFE and people sit and talk in cafes...) Certainly none of the staff warned us or commented.  I now see that this is a very common story but I'm a) livid and b) unable to afford the fine.  Mostly though I'm livid.

I've tried contacting Costa via Twitter but no reply so far.  I should call the actual cafe but I'm concerned about the

It's a drive through fast coffee/snack outlet they don't make millions by everyone sitting there for hours on the same coffee and muffin, that's why McDonald's seats were designed to be so uncomfortable.

But equally they need adequate signage warning you of that fact, forget the staff they have enough to do without telling every customer about parking scammers.

D_P_Dance

Have you complained to your MP?

Tabbybea

Hi all,

Thanks very much for your replies.

@Coupon-mad, often when people receive these notices they panic and an anxious mind is much less able to process the myriad of entries, links, acronyms etc.  I searched through plenty of different posts re PCNs and didn't come across the one you included so I'm grateful for the link.  I appreciate your extensive knowledge and also how busy you must be, but please know we don't ask just to annoy you!  

Anyway, I've had no response from Costa.  So I'm currently appealing the charge online (day 14) and the first question they've asked is whether I was driving or not!  Can I say "no" or is that a(nother) stupid question?!  

Thanks again.

Redx

If you are the keeper and not the driver , say no

I thought you could skip that question ? Is there a better option ?? Like other ?

A keeper and driver can appeal as either or both , but it is rare to admit to being the driver

Tabbybea

Hiya,

No option to skip - I hoped I could!  Just a yes or a no.

Coupon-mad

Say no.

By the way, I have a journalist contact who’d like to chat or hear anonymously from anyone who was accused of ‘overstay’ when there was a disabled person in the car.  She’s genuine, I know her.

She’d even be happy if you were OK to email her your thoughts about this disability discrimination with some details of car park but staying anonymous if you prefer, as she wants to run a story about this aspect of rogue ANPR parking firms breaking the law.

Do send me a pm if you are interested in talking to her. 100% genuine.

Coupon-mad

 The last time I recall seeing a report about this was in 2010 before the Equality Act replaced the DDA:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8488737.stm

https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/supermarkets-pledge-to-do-more-on-parking-time-limits-2/

It’s not just Supermarkets of course but that illustrates that retailers have known about this issue and pledged not to discriminate but since then ANPR has become something of an automated monster.

Any real attempt at exempting disabled people from parking time limits, giving them more parking time for their tariff (as Local Authorities have to) and even manning and checking of accessible bays, has been forgotten.

Tabbybea

Hello all,

My appeal was declined (below).  Do you think it's worth appealing to POPLA or should I just chalk this up to experience and never use Costa Poxy Coffee again?

T