PCN - Unusual Circumstances

Gandalf123

I am a Newbie who has read the relevant material on this board but cannot find a similar example to assist me.

I  traveled to a local football match and attempted to park in a largish factory car park where people at the entrance charge you £5 to park for the duration of the match. However on this occasion the car park was full when we got there but the lady who was taking the money directed me and probably 15-20 other cars to a parking area about 50 yards away . This parking away appears to consist of the forecourts of about 3 terraced industrial units which did have some type of parking warning signs displayed but I did not have any regard to this. The lady from the other parking area had a high viz jacket on and used a walkie talkie. I followed her in the car to the car park.She told me where to park and I paid her £5 for the privilege.I was not given any ticket/receipt as it is a cash in hand arrangement just like the larger car park I normally use.  Other cars did the same as me under direction from said lady.

Upon returning to the car after the match I had a PCN on the windscreen from CPD(Midlands)Ltd from Davids Lane,Basford,Nottingham.The reason being "parked without displaying a valid ticket permit". I have 14 days to appeal(runs out 24/10/22) when the charge will be frozen at £60 or the charge will be £100 if I appeal between 14-21 days. Other cars in the same location also had PCN's. I suspect that the subject land may not have been used for "overflow parking" before.

In the above circumstances should I follow the guidance and not appeal until I get a NTK from CPS or do you recommend I appeal within the 14 days setting the circumstances as described and perhaps also asking whether the money from the car parks is being declared to HMRC for tax purposes.

I am new to this and hope somebody can point me in the right direction.

Coupon-mad

I think I'd report this to your MP to write on your behalf to the IPC and this parking firm and ask what the heck is going on because whoever is behind this should be reported to HMRC. 

Also try to get it in a local newspaper. Something fishy going on.

Who advertises the parking at the factory? How did you hear about it?

Does it always have to be paid in cash?

Can you go back and film the people involved who take the money, and ask to see their ID?

Some detective work needed.

No paying.

No point appealing to an IPC firm but a complaint from your MP is better (and to the IPC). Maybe the scam is nothing to do with the PPC but that's for the IPC and the PPC to confirm.

Gandalf123

Thanks for your response. I will write to my MP and see if newspaper interested but am concerned about immediate deadline for appeal on 24/10/22.

 Firstly can I assume I should not appeal or pay anything and also make no direct contact with the firm unless I get a NTK from them. I was considering writing to CPS with the facts but this is against forum guidance.Although I thought if I mentioned likely tax avoidance the might back off.

The main factory cap parking is not advertised as far as I am aware. They simply place a board at the gate advertising the parking and the relevant charge of £5.You pay always by cash and they let you in with no receipt.The main car park has operated like this for a number of years. I have never seen the  "overflow car park" being used for football parking before. The car park is located on an estate close to the ground where a small amount of on street parking exists so trade has probably built up over a number of years.

Next time I am at the ground(I live 20 miles away) I could take some photos showing the board. I suspect no ID will be available.

Thanks for any further help you can offer.

 

Coupon-mad

But I already said you are not under any stupid appeal deadline and you certainly don't pay:

"No point appealing to an IPC firm but a complaint from your MP is better (and to the IPC). Maybe the scam is nothing to do with the PPC but that's for the IPC and the PPC to confirm."