Another Fistral Beach parking post..... sorry!

paulsvan

Had the occasion to visit Fistral the afternoon of 02/09/2023.

I was taking my son for the first time and looking forward to introducing him to the lovely view and a splash in the water.

When I arrived the road down to the parking was busy, but not rammed. As it's a one way road with both sides full of vans and cars we had to go down to come back anyway. On arriving my partner got out to pay for parking. The car park was 95% full but after a few turns going round I found a spot. 

She returned flustered because the parking machine wasn't working when trying to take card payments (I took photos of the screen doing a timeout/loading thing) which didn't resolve itself. After nearly 15 minutes trying myself with other payment cards

By this time my partner and son had gone to the beach and left me, I decided to try the parking app. With no mobile signal or WiFi available and an app I had never used before (why don't these places standardise apps to a degree?) I was unable to pay via this method either. I took screenshots of an attempt to pay via the app also.

There were no options to pay in cash.

I tried to pay but it was not possible. Surely that's not something I should be fined £170 for. I was happy to pay for parking but there was no mechanism by which to do so. 

Frustrated I walked the length of the site, car park but couldn't get any signal. I ventured onto the beach to collect my family and after another wait trying to get out we sadly left Fistral disheartened and didn't return for the rest of the holiday. 

Today 10/10/2023 I received a letter from Debt Recovery Plus dated 05/10/2023 stating 'The time has come to decide how you wish to proceed regarding an unpaid parking charge you received in "FISTRAL BEACH, NEWQUAY..." on 02/09/2023. This offers me the joyous choices of 'Pay in full - £170', 'Payment Plan £42.50 over 4 months' or 'Do Nothing'.

So basically it's a payment demand with no appeal process. 

I haven't received anything from the owner/car park operator so there are no details on the document other than the date or vehicle registration - presumably my address details bought from DVLA. DRP have provided no evidence in the document. 

I haven't been asked to identify the driver so presumably they believe they have the right to assume/fine/charge me regardless. I haven't been given the opportunity to contest the fine so I assume they wish to scare me into paying or the Bailiffs will turn up.

I haven't called/paid or responded in any way at this point so am I best to file the letter, ignore and wait for further chasing. I assume like so many of these bullies my position is  'If I acknowledge the driver then I effectively admit guilt'?

Moreover I am mad that this debacle has ruined the experience of Fistral for myself and my family. No doubt many others who return here regularly to what is normally a great spot.

I'd welcome any advice at this point.

UncleThomasCobley

Is your V5C logbook address up to date? This address is not updated when you update your drivers licence.

You need to read the Newbies/FAQ thread. Also, there are many other similar cases to yours for the same location. Just search the forum and select "Newest".

You can safely ignore the DRP and/or any other debt collector letters as advised in the Newbies thread. They won't accept an appeal now so just weather the debt collector letters and come back if/when you receive a Letter Before Claim.

If the address in your V5C is an old address, you must instruct the DPO of the PPC to rectify your address for service by "erasing" your old address and updating with your current address.

paulsvan

UncleThomasCobley said:

Is your V5C logbook address up to date? This address is not updated when you update your drivers licence.

Yes. I haven't had the vehicle long and had a new license too so it's up to date.

I'll check the Newbies threads. The Fistral related ones I had checked but circumstances were different and some had fell to pressure and communicated. Hence my query.

Thanks for the reply.

UncleThomasCobley

I'd advise you to double check the address on your V5C, which you can do online. Your drivers license details and the V5C have absolutely no connection whatsoever. Updating one, does not automatically update the other.

How long after you purchased the car did the parking event occur?