ECP PCN Letter Recieved

harlow091

Hello All,

I just wanted to clarify what to do next before I make a first move.

I parked in a EuroCarParks Parking in Chelmsford Meadows. I used to go to the gym here two months ago. I cancelled my membership as I went back home for the summer (i'm a uni student), so my number plate is normally saved for the free parking and decided to park late at night.

I am in England.

I came to Chelmsford for 1h 31s. The normally free parking is 30 minutes free, the gym used to give me two hours free.

I received a PCN letter in the post, stating I have to pay up £60, or £100 after 14 days. It has come to me as I am the registered keeper. It has no errors on the letter, shows the dates and times, and a photo of my number plate only entering and leaving.

I would like to see what I can do to appeal this. Looking at this recent case here at the same parking: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/79374489#Comment_79374489

The gym management is useless anyways, this individual case recently won on the basis of signage and planning permissions.

I have read through here: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4816822/newbies-private-parking-ticket-old-or-new-read-these-faqs-first-thankyou

As far as I understand all I can do now is.

1) Send an appeal to ECP, to really just get the POPLA code.

2) Appeal to POPLA, I am not too sure which template to use either the one posted here: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4816822/newbies-private-parking-ticket-old-or-new-read-these-faqs-first-thankyou or the newbies template.

My main questions are:

Is it worth to appeal? Do I have a case here or should I just take the £100 hit? As a student, it is quite a lot for me...

Which next steps should I take / which template would you all recommend?



If I go ahead with this, I will document as much as I can on here to help others of course! I know I am just a stranger who made a mistake, but I really do appreciate any support or advice from everyone, means a lot.

Coupon-mad

Were you using the gym at the time?

harlow091

No I was not. I was with my friend who still goes to that gym (I was meeting up with him) and picking him up.

harlow091

Coupon-mad said:

Were you using the gym at the time?

No I was not. I was with my friend who still goes to that gym (I was meeting up with him) and picking him up.

Apologies, still getting used to this platform. 

Coupon-mad

OK so your passenger was a current gym member who could have obtained 2 hours free, so ask him/her for a copy of their gym card and appeal attaching that, and allege that there was a 'keying error' and it's unclear to establish whether the passenger had input the VRM because the machine never prints a receipt.  I reckon they will offer to cancel for £20.

Unless the gym was closed?