Forbury Retail Park - Present on site during no parking period

JM0809198

I'm not sure if it was darker than this after midnight but it's extremely difficult to notice the signs, let alone read them, and they dont explicitly state that you can't enter the car park at a particular time. The sign at the entrance simply states 3 hour maximum stay. Additionally, The KFC could still have been open for all I know and I could have been a potential customer. 

JM0809198

patient_dream said:

Right so night time pics where you entered.  There is also a barrier where you entered and it is always up

No need to go in the car park, this a rubbish UKPC sign inside this car park and nothing has changed

I agree and yes there is usually a barrier, would make sense for them to put it down when the car park isn't allowed to be used. 

KeithP

JM0809198 said:

The KFC could still have been open for all I know and I could have been a potential customer. 

The KFC at Forbury Retail Park, Forbury Road, RG1 3JD opening hours...

Coupon-mad

What does the term highlighted in yellow say?

Did the PCN arrive at your house within 14 days? 

Looks easy to win at POPLA as the signage only has '3 hours free' in readable text. Obviously the keeper appeals, not you...we've already explained that and the NEWBIES thread tells you why.

Have you checked online: was the KFC open?

Have you asked KFC to cancel it? They might if you are sometimes customers.

Snakes_Belly

There has been a recent case dismissed at court which involved a BB holder who was not aware that the car park had changed from being operated by the council to being operated by a PPC. They were only in the car park for marginally over 10 mins.

The case did not win on signage but was dismissed as on the basis of the Equality Act. 

As the driver in your scenario only stopped marginally over the 10 mins grace period and ate something to avoid low blood sugar the Equality Act could apply if this should escalate to court.       

patient_dream

JM0809198 said:

I'm not sure if it was darker than this after midnight but it's extremely difficult to notice the signs, let alone read them, and they dont explicitly state that you can't enter the car park at a particular time. The sign at the entrance simply states 3 hour maximum stay. Additionally, The KFC could still have been open for all I know and I could have been a potential customer. 

The above sign is the most important one, it is the entry sign

It clearly says 3 hours maximum stay and anyone would be right to assume it's 24 hours a day.  

The last time I got involved with this car park was with a lady on here who visited the furniture shops and overstayed. The landowner got it cancelled.

I am in the area today so will have a look if it makes it clear of restrictive times.  

Coupon said this ..
Did the PCN arrive at your house within 14 days?

An important question please

fisherjim

Coupon-mad said:

What does the term highlighted in yellow say?

That's the "Important notice: If you leave this site whilst the vehicle remains in the car park you may be liable for a parking charge" clause which they now highlight to try to make this scam stick!
That entrance sign basically invites you to enter with no restriction on time and even tells you to see full terms and conditions on notices within the car park how can the muppets then penalise you for doing exactly what they invite you to do?

JM0809198

Thank you for the responses.

The 'offence' took place on 08/10/2022, the parking charge date on the letter is 13/10/2022, and I received the NTK on 17/10/2022.

The KFC wasn't open unfortunately but I was just indicating to the fact that it didn't look closed, the lights were on within the store, I'm sure it's quite possible that if someone isn't aware of its opening hours they would simply drive into the car park to check. Might be worth giving them a ring anyway? 

Additionally, I was only 9 seconds over the 10 minute grace period too.

BPA are the only association on the letter if that bears any relevance. 

JM0809198

patient_dream said:

JM0809198 said:

I'm not sure if it was darker than this after midnight but it's extremely difficult to notice the signs, let alone read them, and they dont explicitly state that you can't enter the car park at a particular time. The sign at the entrance simply states 3 hour maximum stay. Additionally, The KFC could still have been open for all I know and I could have been a potential customer. 

The above sign is the most important one, it is the entry sign

It clearly says 3 hours maximum stay and anyone would be right to assume it's 24 hours a day.  

The last time I got involved with this car park was with a lady on here who visited the furniture shops and overstayed. The landowner got it cancelled.

I am in the area today so will have a look if it makes it clear of restrictive times.  

Coupon said this ..
Did the PCN arrive at your house within 14 days?

An important question please

Patient_dream - Would you know where I could get in contact with the land owner by any chance? 

patient_dream

JM0809198 said:

patient_dream said:

JM0809198 said:

I'm not sure if it was darker than this after midnight but it's extremely difficult to notice the signs, let alone read them, and they dont explicitly state that you can't enter the car park at a particular time. The sign at the entrance simply states 3 hour maximum stay. Additionally, The KFC could still have been open for all I know and I could have been a potential customer. 

The above sign is the most important one, it is the entry sign

It clearly says 3 hours maximum stay and anyone would be right to assume it's 24 hours a day.  

The last time I got involved with this car park was with a lady on here who visited the furniture shops and overstayed. The landowner got it cancelled.

I am in the area today so will have a look if it makes it clear of restrictive times.  

Coupon said this ..
Did the PCN arrive at your house within 14 days?

An important question please

Patient_dream - Would you know where I could get in contact with the land owner by any chance? 

That I don't know but Reading Borough Council will tell you

I have just been in the car park.  The sign at your entry point as shown above does not state any time restriction just an offer for you to park for 3 hours.

On the other entry sign which is also the only exit, the sign is the same but is half blocked from view by a bush and railing

All the signs inside the car park have minute letters in their T&C's which you would need binoculars to read even if up close.
ALL the signs offer 3 hours parking