Success! - Wise Parking & Queen Elizabeth Hospital Woolwich

BBDriver

I received an ANPR PCN from Wise Parking for parking on private land on 2/11/22.

It was in Car Park 2 at the Queens Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich where a disabled bay with a blue badge was used.

The signage is woefully inadequate so I had no idea that there was a need to register the vehicle at the hospital reception hence the PCN.

There are several car parks at the site and the dedicated diabled car park has additional much clearer signage that indicates the need for vehicle registration, this is not the case in Car Park 2 despite having several diabled bays.

I came across this forum and the many good people fighting for the rights of the motorist to be treated fairly and used the information provided to good effect.

My case is pretty much identical to the one dave77238u38 successfully fought in the thread

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6374344/unfair-behaviour-by-privately-operated-carpark-management-company/

I went back to the site and took photos of the signage to file in case new signs appeared overnight.

I appealed the PCN online with Wise Parking using the template found in the Newbies thread but also immediately emailed a complaint to the NHS Trust's CEO and PALS. I used an almagamation of the letter dave77238u38 had written and many of the points in Coupon-Mad's letter in the same thread (17th August), particulary the disability impact assement. I also posted a copy of the letter to the CEO, I am intersted to see if I receive a reply.

One point I did not make was that disabled parking is for a maximum of 4 hours, with A&E waiting times well in excess of 4 hours this would seem to be discriminatory.

I have received an email response from PALS indicating that before the introduction of their new system, the enforcement contractor gave assurances to the Trust that all necessary compliances had been met to enforce the carparks.

They added that despite all carpark compliances being met and having IPC sign-off, they expected the new system would affect genuine users who may not notice that there are changes in the carpark therefore they agreed with the enforcement company that any first-time PCNs to genuine users will be rescinded on appeal.

They tell me that the PCN has been rescinded by the enforcement company, I have had no notification or appeal reply from Wise Parking as yet.

It is a success but is it also an admission of inadequacy of their own parking system?

Thanks to all here that offer the advice and my advice is to follow their advice! But above all don't panic, read the Newbies thread thoroughly and stand your ground.

Coupon-mad

That's great!

Can you kindly reproduce that PALS email here, with headers and date (but not your email address or surname) so others can use it as future evidence if Wise don't cancel on first appeal?

Umkomaas

Great story and result. Well done. 

They tell me that the PCN has been rescinded by the enforcement company, I have had no notification or appeal reply from Wise Parking as yet.

You can check this on the Wise Parking website. Go as if to pay the PCN (obviously don't) and you'll be able to see the charge's current status. 

It's not unusual for there to be no confirmation of a cancellation from a PPC, after all, they've missed out on slamming you for £100, they'd be mortified to think they've got to spend 68p on a second class stamp to tell you they've failed to collect! 😄

baser999

Rather ironic that as a disabled driver displaying a blue badge you pick up a PCN when there’s a designated ‘pick up’ only area at the entrance to A&E where drivers seem to park at will. Occasionally there’s someone there keeping an eye but too seldom. Too busy ticketing people such as you I suppose 😏

BBDriver

LEWISHAM AND GREENWICH NHS TRUST

Parking Charge Notice Number REDACTED

23rd November 2022 at 22:46

Dear REDACTED

Thank you for your email to PALs and to REDACTED, raising concerns about a PCN issued to you by Wise parking at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

ANPR enforcement was introduced to our car parks in order to manage them better.  We introduced a system to allow Blue badge holders to validate their parking at entrances, this is to ensure that they do not receive PCNs.

This system was introduced so that only those who require Hospital services will utilize the spaces. Previously drivers used to leave their vehicles displaying a badge and travel to central London or go to nearby areas, which then affected genuine users.

Prior to the introduction of the new system, the enforcement contractor gave assurance to the Trust that all necessary compliances had been met to enforce the carparks.

Despite all carpark compliances being met and IPC sign-off, it was expected that the new system will affect genuine users who may not notice that there are changes in the carpark therefore we agreed with the enforcement company that any first-time PCNs to genuine users will be rescinded on appeal. I am therefore pleased to advise that your PCN has been rescinded by the enforcement company.

You do not have to do anything about the PCN.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any other car parking-related concerns.

Thank you.

Kind regards

REDACTED EMAIL ADDRESS (easy to find on Google)

Head of Security & LSMS

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Security Department 

University Hospital Lewisham, Lewisham High Street, London SE13 6LH

T:  020 8333 3000 x8308
E: Unable to post link
W: Unable to post link

Coupon-mad

Thank you! I am certain we had another Wise one which they refused to cancel a couple of months ago, probably the same Trust.