Civil Enforcement Ltd - Server error submitted appeal

Ninnut85

Hello all

I've just received my first ever parking fine. It was from a hospital drop off of a friend where the driver was 24 minutes, just 4 mins over the 'grace' period.

I've tried to submit an appeal via their website but every time I click submit I just get an '500 server error'. Tried multiple times from different devices, always the same.
The only phone number I can find is all automated so can't speak to anyone.
Has anyone got any suggestions? I've never had to deal with a PCN before so it's all very new to me.

Gr1pr

Its not a fine, it's a PCN from a private parking company, an invoice ( so you still haven't received your first ever parking fine. )

Try using chrome or opera or brave or Firefox browsers, its unlikely to be their end at fault, if you are trying from work your work broadband may be blocking it.  What website or link are you using. ? Did you accept the essential cookies. ?

Never, never, never phone them, nothing is resolved over the phone, unless you are paying it in full

Ninnut85

Gr1pr said:

Its not a fine, it's a PCN from a private parking company, an invoice ( so you still haven't received your first ever parking fine. )

Try using chrome or opera or brave or Firefox browsers, its unlikely to be their end at fault, if you are trying from work your work broadband may be blocking it.  What website or link are you using. ? Did you accept the essential cookies. ?

Never, never, never phone them, nothing is resolved over the phone, unless you are paying it in full

Tried Chrome, Firefox and MS Edge from 2 different laptops, always the same.
Not at work, on my home broadband. 
Website: https://appeals.ce-service.co.uk/
Yep, all the usual stuff accepted.

Gr1pr

Then complain about it by using the complaints link found on the BPA AOS members website list, on the right, adding your appeal to it as an addendum, see if it submits ok, or try again etc on the ce service link as usual tomorrow instead 

https://www.britishparking.co.uk/bpa-approved-operators

You have 28 days to appeal it, from the NTK PCN letter date 

What appeal do you intend to submit. ?  The blue text template appeal from the newbies sticky thread in announcements. ?

Ninnut85

Gr1pr said:

Then complain about it by using the complaints link found on the BPA AOS members website list, on the right, adding your appeal to it as an addendum, see if it submits ok, or try again etc on the ce service link as usual tomorrow instead 

https://www.britishparking.co.uk/bpa-approved-operators

You have 28 days to appeal it, from the NTK PCN letter date 

What appeal do you intend to submit. ?  The blue text template appeal from the newbies sticky thread in announcements. ?

Thank you, I was just going to submit my own appeal based on the reality of what happened. Below is what my appeal was going to say:

"Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to formally appeal the parking charge notice (PCN) issued to me for an overstay of 4 minutes in the car park of the <hospital name> on 20/08/2024.

On this day, the driver was dropping off a person, who was due to stay at the unit for medical treatment. The driver arrived at the car park at 12:51 and parked in a bay, then assisted <name> with her belongings as they made their way to the entrance of the <hospital name>. Due to physical limitations, this process took longer than it might for an able-bodied individual.

Upon reaching the entrance, they encountered a significant delay. The door was locked, and there was no immediate means of entry. they pressed the buzzer repeatedly, but received no response for an extended period. <name> attempted to call the unit on the phone number she had been given, but again, there was no answer initially. Only after her third attempt did someone answer the call, and they were informed that someone would come to let her in.

During this time, they were simply left standing outside the door waiting, as the driver had no access to the building or to any of the terminals to input the car registration. Once the door was finally opened,  the driver briefly said goodbye to <name> and returned to the vehicle. From the time the driver entered the car park to the time the driver exited, the entire process took 24 minutes, which is just 4 minutes beyond the grace period stated in the PCN.

I believe this charge is unjust for several reasons:

1. Disability: As someone with a registered disability, it naturally takes  the driver longer to carry out tasks that involve walking and carrying items. This contributed to the time it took to assist <name> and return to the car.
2. Delays Outside of control: The substantial delay caused by the locked door and the failure of the unit to answer the buzzer and phone promptly was entirely beyond control. Had this not occurred, the driver would have left within the allotted time.

The driver was using the car park for its intended purpose of accessing the <hospital name> to drop off a patient and the purpose of  the drivers stay in the car park was solely to assist <name> in entering the unit for her medical treatment, and as soon as this was completed, the driver left. It feels highly disproportionate to penalise to the amount of £100 for what amounts to a mere 4-minute overstay, particularly given the circumstances I’ve described.

I respectfully ask that you reconsider this fine, taking into account both the delays caused by the unit and the mobility, both of which extended the drivers stay slightly beyond the grace period.

Please find attached the following supporting evidence:

• A certificate of attendance and completion of treatment for <name> at the unit on the date in question.
• A signed statement from <name> confirming the details of this incident.
• A copy of the  drivers disabled blue badge.
• A copy of  the drivers driving licence for verification purposes.

I trust that upon reviewing the evidence and the circumstances of this situation, you will appreciate the genuine nature of  the drivers use of the car park and recognise that the overstay was the result of factors outside of the driver control.

I kindly request that you review my appeal and consider cancelling the PCN, as it seems unreasonable to be penalised £100 for a minor overstay caused by circumstances beyond  the drivers control.

Thank you for your time and understanding."

Would I be better to use the standard template from the sticky? excuse my naivety on this topic, it's all new to me

 

Gr1pr

I would suggest that you don't submit witness statements to a private parking company, or admit to anything at all 

An appeal targets the alleged breach, they won't cancel based on excuses or mitigation, no money in it, especially because its currently an unregulated industry, despite government efforts to regulate it over the last 7 years or more 

Wait for suggestions after several experienced people read your narrative 

Meanwhile 

Put a strong written complaint in to the business or hospital or whatever the establishment was, asap, especially mentioning the problems and the Equality Act 2010 etc, reasonable adjustments, try to get it cancelled by those who have the power, the Landowner or Business, known as plan A 

Ninnut85

Gr1pr said:

I would suggest that you don't submit witness statements to a private parking company, or admit to anything at all 

An appeal targets the alleged breach, they won't cancel based on excuses or mitigation, no money in it, especially because its currently an unregulated industry, despite government efforts to regulate it over the last 7 years or more 

Wait for suggestions after several experienced people read your narrative 

Meanwhile 

Put a strong written complaint in to the business or hospital or whatever the establishment was, asap, especially mentioning the problems and the Equality Act 2010 etc, reasonable adjustments, try to get it cancelled by those who have the power, the Landowner or Business, known as plan A 

I've found the PALS email for the hospital on their website and sent my complaint to them. Fingers crossed!

If successful, will I receive any kind of acknowledgment from the parking company? I'm just wondering what confirmation is typically received to confirm the fine has been cancelled 

LDast

Classic example of how to blow driver anonymity out the window:

On this day, the driver was dropping off my friend, <name>, who was due to stay at the unit for medical treatment. The driver arrived at the car park at 12:51 and parked in a bay, then assisted <name> with her belongings as we made our way to the entrance of the <hospital name>. Due to physical limitations, as the driver is registered disabled, this process took longer than it might for an able-bodied individual.

Ninnut85

Updated...

1505grandad

Just for info another one:-

"2. Delays Outside My Control: The substantial delay caused by the locked door and the failure of the unit to answer the buzzer and phone promptly was entirely beyond  the drivers control. Had this not occurred, the driver would have left within the allotted time.

Le_Kirk

@1505grandad you beat me to it!