Parking Fine - Unsure what steps to take first smart parking/DPR Letter

D_P_Dance

Read what Pete Wishart MP said recently in the House of commons about Smart Parking.and comlpain to your own MP.

I am sick and tired of receiving emails from people complaining about the behaviour of parking companies, telling me that they will never again visit Perth city centre because of the negative experience they had when they had the misfortune to end up in a car park operated by one of these companies. I have received more complaints about one car park in the city of Perth than about any other issue. That car park is operated by the lone ranger of the parking cowboys: the hated and appalling Smart Parking—I see that many other Members are unfortunate enough to have Smart Parking operating in their constituencies. It has reached the stage where one member of my staff now spends a good part of each day just helping my constituents and visitors to my constituency to navigate the appeals process.

…
The BPA does not have the ability to regulate these companies and has shown no sign whatsoever that it is trying to get on top of some of the sharper practices. The BPA gives a veneer of legitimacy to some of the more outlandish rogue operators by including them in their membership, allowing them to continue to operate. The Bill will oblige operators such as Smart Parking to amend their practices.

christinajane

Thanks everybody!

Yeah, found out that the car park belongs to Liverpool Marina, so will just email the landowners at some point and see what they say.

But otherwise I have emailed the DPO at smart parking with proof of change of address I will see what they say and let you know what happens. 

Thanks for all your help again, been worrying about this since I got the DPR letter. It feels like you have to do something otherwise you think you're gonna end up paying loads! 

Horrible people honestly these car parking companies.

christinajane

D_P_Dance said:

Read what Pete Wishart MP said recently in the House of commons about Smart Parking.and comlpain to your own MP.

I am sick and tired of receiving emails from people complaining about the behaviour of parking companies, telling me that they will never again visit Perth city centre because of the negative experience they had when they had the misfortune to end up in a car park operated by one of these companies. I have received more complaints about one car park in the city of Perth than about any other issue. That car park is operated by the lone ranger of the parking cowboys: the hated and appalling Smart Parking—I see that many other Members are unfortunate enough to have Smart Parking operating in their constituencies. It has reached the stage where one member of my staff now spends a good part of each day just helping my constituents and visitors to my constituency to navigate the appeals process.

…
The BPA does not have the ability to regulate these companies and has shown no sign whatsoever that it is trying to get on top of some of the sharper practices. The BPA gives a veneer of legitimacy to some of the more outlandish rogue operators by including them in their membership, allowing them to continue to operate. The Bill will oblige operators such as Smart Parking to amend their practices.

I have also contacted my MP, but this parking fine was given in Liverpool and I live in Lancashire. Should I also send an email to the Liverpool MP?

Nothing yet from smart parking...

Coupon-mad

No, you can only complain to your constituency MP, who might or might not liaise with their counterpart in Liverpool.

Thanks for all your help again, been worrying about this since I got the DPR letter. It feels like you have to do something otherwise you think you're gonna end up paying loads! 

That's what DRPlus want you to think.  It's not true.  And if you get a small claim from Smart, come back to us!

christinajane

Brilliant, thank you coupon-mad!

All the advice given has really alleviated my anxiety surrounding this! So gad I googled this before doing anything else! 

Just a waiting game now to hear back from DPO at Smart parking ltd and MP and may be trying Liverpool Marina as the landowners. 

Umkomaas

Just a waiting game now to hear back from DPO at Smart parking ltd

If it's regarding the change of address, I doubt you will hear anything from them at all. It's not John Lewis you are dealing with!

christinajane

Yeah you have a point, where does that leave me then? Is it just a case of I have evidence that I have emailed them with my updated address, so if anything comes of it I can say I did tell them etc? 

Umkomaas

christinajane said:

Yeah you have a point, where does that leave me then? Is it just a case of I have evidence that I have emailed them with my updated address, so if anything comes of it I can say I did tell them etc? 

Yep, about it, hang on to your sent email. 

christinajane

So much for writing to my MP...

Dear Christina,

 

Thank you for your e-mail regarding the fine that you received from Smart Parking Ltd on 28/02/2022 in Liverpool.

 

I understand the initial fine would have been much less than the current outstanding amount of £170.00. 

 

When you received the initial letter from Smart Parking with details of the contravention and fine, you were given the opportunity to appeal against the decision if you disagreed with the fine. Smart Parking have a good appeals process, each appeal is individually assessed by a trained appeals assessor, who will review not only the site rules, but will apply a common-sense approach. You would have been given the opportunity to discuss payments with Smart Parking or given the opportunity to agree a regular weekly/monthly contribution to clear the initial fine.

 

Unfortunately, the case is now with Debt Recovery Plus, the amount outstanding has increase due to non-payment and it may increase over time, if you do not agree to settling the debt.

 

I would advise you to contact Debt Recovery Plus and agree an affordable amount with them, you will need to explain your income and outgoings and an amount that you can afford without going into debt. 

 

I hope this answers your query.

 

Regards

 

 

Andrew Stephenson MP

christinajane

Any thoughts? 

Guess it's just making me nervous again that something will come of it. He doesn't even mention that £170 pound is £70 more than the government recommends..?