SABA/ZZPS parking charge

hookguy

Hi everyone

Thank you for the help in advance. Just wanted to ask for some help about my case (details are below). 

I parked on hatched yellow lines in a hospital car park next to a sign, there were no spaces elsewhere and was late. The car park was operated by SABA however I did display a valid permit. 

I have got to the ZZPS debt collector stage having not appealed via POPLA as I didn't receive a letter or see a ticket on my windscreen. I have requested the SAR via SABA and they have photo evidence of my car on hatched yellow lines and with a ticket on the windshield (which wasn't there when I got back to the car as I didn't see it). It is now too late to appeal via POPLA.

I have tried to appeal to the land owner who are not budging. 

While I'm aware I did park on hatched yellow lines, since I never saw the ticket or received the initial appeal letter do I have a case for not paying? In the SAR they have sent me a copy of the ZZPS letter but no initial correspondence from SABA. 

My plan is to currently ignore the debt collector since I cannot appeal to anyone and hope they do not take me to court! I know ZZPS do not tend to take to court for one offence but would they do so if they have the evidence I described above? Is there anything else I should do?

Thanks again 

Gr1pr

Zzps cannot take you to court, SABA, however could do so 

Ignore ZZPS, ignore any debt collectors 

Le_Kirk

What did PALS say when you complained (politely but bitterly as you were parked on hatched yellows)?  Did you give them stick for not making their Parking Company manage the car park by providing enough parking spaces rather than chasing vulnerable patients who had to find somewhere to park or miss their appointment?

Nellymoser

If you haven't done so complain to hospital's Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) remind the NHS organisation they are responsible for the actions of private contractors who run car parks on their behalf.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles

You may not have heard from SABA if your V5C document doesn't contain your current address and have a read of the NEWBIES FAQ Announcement thread.

hookguy

Thank you all for the comments. 

I should mention I am staff and displayed a valid permit for the area I was parking (albeit on hatched yellows). It's a known issue that there is a lack of parking space. I did complain to PALS and the site manager for parking to no avail - I got the impression they aren't swayed by any argument I could come up with. 

My V5C is up to date and I have read the newbies FAQ. I know to ignore debt collectors but am unsure what to do if I've missed the appeal deadline and SABA seemingly have the previously mentioned evidence on me

Gr1pr

Then you have tried the complaint to the trust and failed , known as plan A 

I assume that you have read the nhs guidelines. ?

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles

Have you tried your Union rep. ?

You have the other two choices of pay or possibly defend yourself in Civil Court, we rarely if ever recommend paying, but know what you are up against and prepare for it, like people in your job do 

If you are willing to fight all the way, then do so

hookguy

Thank you. I'm aware of the NHS guidelines but just re-read it. 

I'll try my union, if they are no help then I would be willing to defend myself in court if needed. 

If it comes to that would I be able to ask for help from this forum? I would be going in a little blind!

Gr1pr

hookguy said:

If it comes to that would I be able to ask for help from this forum? I would be going in a little blind!

Definitely, don't be going solo, I wouldn't  ( just add to this thread. )

hookguy

Thank you!

As an update, I've spoken again to the trust who have said they do not have the contractual arrangement to be able to cancel any parking charges on the behalf of staff and that I would have to deal directly with SABA

Seems a bit odd to me that they have no say at all?

KeithP

hookguy said:

Thank you!

As an update, I've spoken again to the trust who have said they do not have the contractual arrangement to be able to cancel any parking charges on the behalf of staff and that I would have to deal directly with SABA

Seems a bit odd to me that they have no say at all?

What??
They have no contractual arrangement??

You of course reminded them about...

NHS car parking guidance 2022 for NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts.

In there you will see...

Gr1pr

Did you ask them who contracted with SABA , ?  Seeing as they are denying liability. ?

Who is the landowner. ?  The trust or somebody else ? Somebody signed the contract with SABA 

Which trust. ?  Which hospital. ?

Complain to your local MP and ask them to complain to the trust