ParkingEye PCN - Closed Aldi Car Park

davery83

Hi,
I'm after some advice if possible. I have received a PCN from ParkingEye because I parked in Aldi car park for 19 minutes at 5:55pm on a Sunday evening when they were closed (there are no barriers etc to the car park).
This is my local Aldi, about 2 minutes drive from my house. I had literally left home and then took a call so I did the sensible thing and pulled into the car park.
Should I ignore it, or is there a better process these days? It's been a long time since I received a PCN!
Thanks in advance!

fisherjim

That was far from a sensible thing to do, you are now in the clutches of one of the most litigious parking companies in the country,19minutes is pushing it, and why would they put barriers when they can trap you like this and charge for the privilege.

Start by reading the newbies thread, it's all there for you.

We have a new Aldi in our little town, and the PE signage is abysmal, you are allowed 1.5hrs when the shop is open, but not when it's closed, however you need binoculars to read the signage, and the signs don't conform to the BPA COP.

Umkomaas

'Signage' may be your 'out'. Get photos.  Often PE signs at Aldi stores are little larger than A4 size in landscape form. If there are those in the car park, photos could be very important. 

Does the Notice to Keeper have a paragraph on the reverse side headed 'Protection of Freedoms Act'?

davery83

Thank you all for the comments, I messaged Aldi's team on Twitter (I refuse to call it X), and they've arranged for it to be cancelled.

LDast

davery83 said:

Thank you all for the comments, I messaged Aldi's team on Twitter (I refuse to call it X), and they've arranged for it to be cancelled.

What evidence do you have that Aldi have "arranged" to get the PCN cancelled? What will you have that can counter any argument from PE that they are still chasing you if they come back in a week or two?

davery83

Hi @LDast Thank you for your reply, I've entered the reference number and my number plate into Parking Eye's 'Pay a Parking Charge' webpage and the balance shows as £0.

LDast

That's good. Plan A strikes again.

Coupon-mad

davery83 said:

Hi @LDast Thank you for your reply, I've entered the reference number and my number plate into Parking Eye's 'Pay a Parking Charge' webpage and the balance shows as £0.

Very good!


In future:

Never EVER pull into private land to rake a phone call. It is not the right thing to do.  Always avoid car parks for short stops. 

If you have to answer it, stop at the nearest allowed kerb on-street.

'Allowed' for a brief stop includes single and double yellow lines as long as there are no kerb blips. You couldn't have got a PCN by camera.

Even a bay would be OK (not a commercial loading or red route bay or bus stop of course).

Umkomaas

Coupon-mad said:

davery83 said:

Hi @LDast Thank you for your reply, I've entered the reference number and my number plate into Parking Eye's 'Pay a Parking Charge' webpage and the balance shows as £0.

Very good!


In future:

Never EVER pull into private land to rake a phone call. It is not the right thing to do.  Always avoid car parks for short stops. 

If you have to answer it, stop at the nearest allowed kerb on-street.

'Allowed' for a brief stop includes single and double yellow lines as long as there are no kerb blips. You couldn't have got a PCN by camera.

Even a bay would be OK (not a commercial loading or red route bay or bus stop of course).

And, as a minimum, turn off your engine and exit your car, or only use hands-free Bluetooth connection, as there'll be some excitable Plod lurking around the corner to book you for a 6-pointer 'driving while holding a telephone'.