Blue Badge Holders at the Royal Berkshire Hospital - APCOA PCNs

outpatientRBH

I have recently been issued with 2 PCNs for supposed failure to comply with the parking regulations when parked at the Royal Berkshire hospital in Reading.

My appeal to the first one was rejected - "as I had not replied to their letter dated 19/2/24 - which I did not receive! the second one is still pending.

The signage clearly states blue badge holders are free. I now understand that you have to register the blue badge .. However............(i) the signs make no mention of this little detail & (ii) I actually had an e mail from them saying I had done so - apparently my registration wasn't complete.

A further part of the intimidation is that if I wish to appeal against the rejection the "bargain £30" will be £60 if I lose the appeal. I therefore feel I am between the proverbial rock and a hard place - pay money that borders on theft, or suffer further stress & time wasted appealing.

Any advice would be gratefully received. Thank You

knightstyle

Have you contacted PALS at the hospital?  They are always the first step into getting hospital problems sorted.
https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/contact-us/our-patient-advice-and-liaison-service-pals/

D_P_Dance

I have used this car park many many times and never been asked to register, (or pay),  is this new?  I have always parked, and taken my ticket and BB to reception.  They validate the ticket and i use it to exit without payment.  Given the high cost of parking in this car park, and the difficulty in getting free street parkingr

patient_dream

outpatientRBH ...is my neighbour and asked him to post here

PICTURE TAKEN YESTERDAY

Coupon-mad

My appeal to the first one was rejected - "as I had not replied to their letter dated 19/2/24 - which I did not receive! the second one is still pending.

But you don't pay either of them. Ever.

Trainerman

Noticeable from that sign shown by @patient_dream that there is no requirement to "log in" or similar for a BB holder. Therefore I contend that there is no contract so to do.

outpatientRBH

DP Dance - as far as I can ascertain (with immense difficulty) yes it has changed - not sure about the multi storey though

Trainerman - exactly but that is another message they don't listen to

Fruitcake

Luckily it's only APCOA, so nothing nasty will happen.

Plan A is always a complaint to PALS/the head of the hospital trust/CEO, and your MP.

The contract/parking terms are displayed on the signs. The findings in Thornton v Shoe Lane were that additional terms cannot be added after the event, therefore unless the requirement to register a VRM is stated on the signs, it does not for part of the parking contract.
I suggest you look at the judgment in the case I have mentioned then shove it under the nose of whoever needs to be educated at the hospital, and as high up in the food chain as you can go.

Nellymoser

As you didn't receive pcn you may wish to support this.

So many people don't receive 1st and/or 2nd pcn but the £170 payment due letter often manages to drop through letter boxes. PPCs always claim discounted/full rate pcns/court claim letters were sent as dated though they offer no evidence to prove this.

Since they CHOOSE NOT to provide evidence of their posting we must continue to press gov to ensure they do and see it included in the new Parking CoP. Please sign/share @jmccabe petition closes 22nd june 2024.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/652355
Require communications from Private Parking companies to be traceable/trackable

Thank you and good luck getting them cancelled.

Trainerman

outpatientRBH said:

DP Dance - as far as I can ascertain (with immense difficulty) yes it has changed - not sure about the multi storey though

Trainerman - exactly but that is another message they don't listen to

Listening and being reasonable do not make them money. Nevertheless , if this were to get to court (which it won't) , you have a very strong defence. So don't be bullied.

patient_dream

Trainerman said:

outpatientRBH said:

DP Dance - as far as I can ascertain (with immense difficulty) yes it has changed - not sure about the multi storey though

Trainerman - exactly but that is another message they don't listen to

Listening and being reasonable do not make them money. Nevertheless , if this were to get to court (which it won't) , you have a very strong defence. So don't be bullied.

As you said, the sign cannot support their claim

outpatientRBH has written to the CEO of this NHS TRUST
The Royal Berkshire Hospital