Grossly unfair parking fine from UK CPM

GeoffW1953

On 23/08/21, while on holiday, I attempted to park at West Pentire car park in Cornwall near the Bowgie Inn. I could neither book a table at the Inn or pay for parking as there was no internet signal. So I gave up and left. When I arrived home on 12/09/21 I had a letter from CPM fining me £100 with a reduction to £60 if paid within 14 days. They reported that I was on site for 15 minutes, which I don't contest. I appealed but on 5/10/21 was told that my appeal was unsuccessful and to re-appeal to the IAS if I didn't accept their decision. Having read several reports the IAS seems to be a kangaroo court. I thought about appealing to POPLA but CPM have not given me the necessary 10 digit verification code. So I've asked CPM to supply this. I hope they don't as this will surely weaken their case. Plus POPLA also have a reputation for being a Kangaroo court.
My current stance with CPM  is 'I'll see you in court'. I certainly won't be paying them a penny without a fight.
Two questions please:
1. Am I taking the right approach or is there a genuinely independent arbitration service.
2. When should I start to worry in terms of my credit rating being effected?
Thanks
Geoff

D_P_Dance

It is not a fine, please read the newbies.  Ther is no genuinely impartial adjudication availabe to you.  Mitigating circumastances are usually ignored.  You need have no worries about your credit rating if you follow the advice in the new newbies. 

You wil not get a PoPLA code as CPM are not signed up to the BPA .  All this is explained in the newbies. 

Have you complained to you MP?  

Le_Kirk

GeoffW1953 said:

My current stance with CPM  is 'I'll see you in court'. I certainly won't be paying them a penny without a fight.
Two questions please:
1. Am I taking the right approach or is there a genuinely independent arbitration service.
2. When should I start to worry in terms of my credit rating being effected?
Thanks
Geoff

1.  As @D_P_Dance states, you will not get a POPLA code from an IPC company.  You could try the IAS but as you rightly surmise it is a kangaroo court run by the parking company members for the members!  That said, we have been recommending that posters try it as they have been allowing a few appeals recently and it shows a judge that you tried to "narrow the issues and resolve it yourself".  Even if they reject your appeal, you are in the same position, waiting for a letter of/before claim and then court action.
2.  You start to worry about a CCJ (that will affect your credit position) AFTER you have been to court, lost and failed to pay up what the judge states within the timescales set by the judge.  Coastal places are well known for wanting motorists to use mobiles to purchase tickets (with no alternative such as cash or card) knowing the mobile phone coverage is lacking!