UKCPM Hospital parked on an island

peter129

Hello all,

I've searched for similar posts on here and pepipoo, but couldn't find anything specific to parking, not on the road - so here I am posting to ask for advice.

I arrived at the car park of NorthMid hospital about 10 minutes before my scheduled appointment, assuming that would be enough time to find a parking spot. However, there were construction works going on at the hospital and the lower section (as can be viewed from the overhead satellite image) of the car park (reserved for employees) was blocked off. I presumed that usual employees that would normally park there were now also parking in the patient area which tends to be always overflowed during early hours of the day.

After waiting over 10 mins for a space to free up, I saw someone parking completely over the pavement area between island crossings - I assumed this person might be an employee as they immediately parked in this way, upon entering the full car park, without taking much pause to be concerned about where to park. There were others parking "illegally" with half the car on pavements and on double red lines.

After much frustration, with my partner having already gone into the appointment for consultation and needing me present to translate, I decided that the "best" place to park was the area that I've highlighted in yellow. Looking at the overhead image, you've got to wonder why this is not made into a parking spot as a car can comfortably fit in said space. You could argue that there shouldn't be pedestrians using that island to go around the corner as there is only a road there with no pedestrian walkway. I paid for the time I was parked using the parking app as directed, and have a receipt for this.

I also thought that there might be some leniency in "illegal" parking due to the construction works affecting car park usage. In hindsight, it probably created a "hotzone" for the predatory parking company. Even without the works going on, that highlighted space looks like a deliberate parking trap.

A day later an NTK was issued, I shortly received this in the post (they didn't waste any time!) According to NEWBIE thread, plan A is to appeal to the "land owner" to see if they might be able to get the charge cancelled. I attempted to speak to the main desk, which deals with parking queries about it and got a flat refusal to even discuss it. I was simply turned away, saying that the parking is contracted out to UKCPM and I'd have to appeal directly with them.

As suggested in other hospital parking issues, I should try my luck with PALS - I plan to do this next time I go to the hospital, which will be in a couple of days for another appointment.

I know that parking on "pavements" in London is illegal on public roads unless there's specifically a sign to allow it, but I'm not sure if this also applies to private land? The reason for the parking charge is not parking in accordance with the terms and conditions as displayed on signage, but I'm pretty sure that there is no mention of pavement parking on any signs. What are my chances of appealing the charge? All advice would be greatly appreciated.

Fruitcake

If PALS fails to cancel this, then send the appeal template in blue text from the NEWBIES sticky Announcement. Send it unaltered from the keeper making sure not to miss the appeal deadline.
If the NTK was not PoFA compliant then add a one liner to that effect to the template.

Get photos of the site and signage on the next visit including images of the road works etcetera if still in place.

Continue to read the NEWBIES so you know what to do if the appeal is unsuccessful.

Points to note.
The vehicle appears to have been parked next to a sign saying Visitor Parking.
Parking places were limited due to the construction work such that a frustration of contract occurred.

peter129

Fruitcake said:

Points to note.
The vehicle appears to have been parked next to a sign saying Visitor Parking.
Parking places were limited due to the construction work such that a frustration of contract occurred.

Is there something noteworthy of the sign for an appeal defense?

Fruitcake

The car was parked in accordance with that particular sign.

peter129

About the PoFA compliance, 9.2.a states...

"specify the vehicle, the relevant land on which it was parked and the period of parking to which the notice relates"

The notice only mentions an incident date/time with the following paragraph:

The period of parking to which this notice relates is the period immediately preceding the incident time stated above. The reason we issued the Parking Charge to the vehicle is as follows: No Parkin Outside Of A Designated Area.

There are 2 photos showing a date/time stamp a few seconds apart.

Not sure if there is anything else... Would this NTK be considered PoFA compliant?

Fruitcake

The wording looks PoFA compliant to me, but you have redacted the dates so we can't tell if it is within PoFA requirements, although I suspect it is.

Not stating the time parked is a minor point and I doubt it will get much traction. Had the NTK been issued for an overstay then it might be more relevant.

Have a look at the IPC CoP and see what it says about grace periods.

peter129

I seem to have misinterpreted the PPC's allowed period for their appeals. I had thought they allowed 28 days, but on attempting to submit the appeal and reading the instructions on the back, it says only 21 days.

I went and spoke to the PALS team at the hospital and they said I should send all the info by email and the relevant team will respond to my issue.

Should I still try UKCPM's website to appeal? (looks like it will still accept an appeal submission)

Coupon-mad

Yep, it's pointless but go through the motions so you look reasonable. They only allow 21 days to appeal. It will be rejected.

DO NOT TRY IAS.

peter129

Got this reply from PALS after sending them an email:

Thank you for your email and I apologise for any distress caused to you. Please can we ask for you to appeal to the CPM, should they reject the appeal then do come back to us, but service users need to show they have attempted contact with them directly.

So now just waiting on the rejection to come through and I guess just go through the motions for PALS to cancel it.

Coupon-mad

Yes, do that now.