PCM UK parking ticket - how to proceed?

bhoot

I received a postal notification of parking charge to keeper from PCM UK about a parking intervention. 

I must admit that I parked there knowing that I do not have the permit. I parked there and went to meet a friend who lives a few streets down from there and no other parking was available nearby. The area is a residential street and has around 10 courts. There is clear signage about the parking restrictions which state that one must have a permit to park there. I did it because I lived in this residential area in the past and had never seen / heard anyone getting a ticket (which is no excuse). Simply put, I am at fault. 

However, I still want to check if there is any way to fight this charge. Needless to say that I have learnt my lesson and would never do it again in the future. 

The charge itself is quite clear and explains everything. It says that the notice is being given in line with Schedule 4 of PoFA, the evidence is very clear - it shows my car parked next to the sign, has many photographs of the car and sign, including a one of my car’s front which shows that nothing was displayed on the windshield. It lists the reason as ‘no valid parking session registered’. As a result, the template suggested in the newbies thread does not work for my case. I am wondering what should I put in my appeal, if at all? Any help is deeply appreciated. 

Thanks

Coupon-mad

There's no appeal; it is not impartial and just gets turned down. I'd just ignore PCM but tell them if you move house.

bhoot

Thank you for your time and response CouponMad. I read through the post 4 and 2 of the newbie thread and my understanding is that I should also ignore the threatening letters from debt collectors and wait till the time Letter Before / Of Claim is sent to me. 

Reading through the defence, I see that the points there are meant either for the residents or valid visitors of residents - both of which do not apply in my case. I will not be able to show any supporting evidence in my defence and I was wondering that if it gets to that stage, I would potentially end up losing in court where the charges will be much much higher. 

Given the scenario, what would my defence be? Thank you so much for the time. 

LDast

You will always have a defence, even if you've admitted knowingly breached the terms, here on the forum. You can guarantee that any claim, if/when issued will have enough breaches of CPR 16.4, that you can challenge it and request a strike out. Most claims though simply end up as discontinuances.

Coupon-mad

You could even apply to strike any claim out (if one arrives) because - at the time of writing this - PCM use Gladstones, who always churn out incoherent claims & fall foul of the CPRs every time.

Just make sure you keep your address updated if you move.  Never risk an old address being left with a PPC, not even if they trace the new address.  It's that bad. You have to insist they ERASE the old one if you move.

bhoot

Thank you for the responses. I will continue to ignore for now and proceed with defending at the right time. Thank you for the pointers. Deeply appreciate it 

fisherjim

Just because the signage is clear or plentiful that does not necessarily mean it formed a contract with the driver / keeper though does it?

E.g. if it says permit holders only it was not offering a contract to a non permit holder.

bhoot

Ok, this has gotten a bit more serious now. I have multiple NTKs showing up. I received the first one about 9 days later after the date of offense. I had been parking there in the meantime and now have more of them of later dates showing up in my mailbox. 

Do I still continue to ignore them? Paying up 60 will be a lot better than losing in court and paying 5 times more. Please let me know, I am a bit worried. 

Coupon-mad

Errr...who told you losing in court costs £300 per PCN?  It doesn't.  And almost nobody here loses in court.

The NEWBIES thread second post tells you there's no risk.

bhoot

Update: I have now received a debt recovery letter from Trace Debt Management asking for £170. This seems to be different than Gladstones and I am wondering if I should panic now?

Nellymoser

Panic? What's different about this one?

Is the advice in the NEWBIES thread (post 4 and 2) and posted here by others on your own thread not reassuring you? 

This parking industry needs statutory regulation a group of 11 MPs are pushing for it so should motorists.

Please support/sign this petition demanding the re-launch of a Government-backed Parking Code of Practice. 🙏

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/701453