VCS/ELMS @ Gloucester Peel Centre

Coupon-mad

Yes - prepare but wait.

smithy_gas

I’ve received the VCS witness statement/evidence pack in the post. Essentially a rebuttal of my defence. 

I’m going to hold off until the 18th of this month and confirm the fee gets paid until I send mine off but it looks like the case will go ahead at this juncture. 

KeithP

smithy_gas said:

Court date set for 16th December. I know witness statement due 14 days before then...

Is that what your Notice of Allocation says? 14 days before?

It just seems a bit unusual for VCS to file a Witness Statement much before the deadline.

smithy_gas

KeithP said:

smithy_gas said:

Court date set for 16th December. I know witness statement due 14 days before then...

Is that what your Notice of Allocation says? 14 days before?

It just seems a bit unusual for VCS to file a Witness Statement much before the deadline.

I didn’t expect to receive anything this early. But yes, Notice of Allocation says at least 14 days before…

ParkingMad

The maximum stay changed from 3 hours to 2 hours on 9th March 2020. How long after this did you get your PCN? Here is a photo of VCS' notice about the change, from a local newspaper. 

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/gloucesters-peel-retail-park-introduce-3910942

ParkingMad

On the signs in the car park, VCS reduced the maximum stay period by sticking a 2 over the 3, but the clock symbol yellow segment still indicates 3 hours max stay. See this thread:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6280768/vehicle-control-services-peel/p3

smithy_gas

I parked in December 2021 so quite a while after the change in time from 3 to 2 hours. I have seen that other thread before and I am unsure as to whether these signs are still in place. In the claimants witness statement/evidence package they have sent photos of signage that seems to have been amended. However, they do still show the quadrant and I have made reference to this in my defence. I am looking to return to Gloucester to take my own photos when I know I need to (not local!) so can confirm then. 

smithy_gas

Evening all. Just wanted to update you as this one did go all the way and had a mixed day in court today. 

First of all to any one reading that may be due in court I will say I was made to feel very comfortable by the judge, he walked me through certain stages and elements of process which legally were over my head. He led the conversation where necessary and let me put my points across. I was more than happy when he backed me when the representative for VCS was trying to patronise certain elements of the defence and my wetness behind the ears!

Whilst the judge found in favour of the claimant he did remove the £70 debt recovery fee so I feel that was a small win in regards to double recovery - specifically in this case the terms for this not being set out clearly at all on signage to be able to charge it. 

On signage, the judge didn’t agree with me in regards to the text being graphically at odds with the clock and the use of stickers to update the signs (despite what the other judge said in other case/thread). 

I’m obviously deflated but thems the breaks and I knew the risks by going this far. 

Thank you to all who helped along the way. It’s not 100% positive news but I’m just glad it’s now behind me (once I pay - what a bill to get before Christmas!)

Coupon-mad

It usually comes down to the signage.  Bad luck on that.  But good to hear that the Judge kicked out the fake added DRA fee again.

Not too shabby.  Not your fault or anything you did wrong at the hearing.

Now get your revenge:

Are you ready for the upcoming Public Consultation about the level of parking charges and banning the false DRA fee enhancement?

Likely to be in January according to the timeline published by the BPA.

Stick around.

You just need to read the most recent updates on the thread by MSE_JC about the appeals guide.  Those later responses explain it.

Then bookmark that thread and set email alerts.

smithy_gas

I’ve not heard anything since my case on the 16th. Had no correspondence.

Conscious I need to get this paid off sharpish. Any ideas how/who I need to speak to to get this information?