Parkingeye LTD - PCN issued

Coupon-mad

You've shown us the back of something - non-POFA wording - but we don't know if that is just the Reminder (not the one to look at).

londonerryan

Sorry, i posted the reverse of the reminder letter. I've now uploaded the original PCN. I've deleted number plate, time of arrival/departure, ref number etc.

Coupon-mad

Yep, POFA-worded so they can hold you liable as keeper.

As already advised, if the Uni won't cancel it or ask ParkingEye to reduce it (which they can do with one email) your only other way would be a POPLA appeal with some very good evidence of completely black, unlit signs in the dark. 

londonerryan

Coupon-mad said:

Yep, POFA-worded so they can hold you liable as keeper.

As already advised, if the Uni won't cancel it or ask ParkingEye to reduce it (which they can do with one email) your only other way would be a POPLA appeal with some very good evidence of completely black, unlit signs in the dark. 

Ok thanks.

One last issue: i have a blue badge because of my mental health issues. I didn't consider it relevant to state earlier as i can't see why Parkingeye etc would take that into account in this situation. However, i've been trying to find the legality of charging blue badge students for parking at universities.

This university's parking regulations (introduced i believe two years ago) state the following:

"20 minute parking bays

At least one 20 minute short stay parking bay is provided at each campus.  These bays are free of charge and may only be used for a maximum of 20 minutes with no return within 4 hours. 

Disabled Permit Holders

Visitors who also hold blue badges may use the disabled parking bays or any other bays within the car parks whilst displaying a valid blue badge. Blue badge holders may not park on the road, in clearly marked restricted areas or in any location that causes an obstruction.   Charges apply for blue badge holder visitors (unless prior arrangements have been made via the Faculty or Department they are visiting)".

The issue for me here is that i am a VISITOR student (i'm doing my Master's by correspondence, not at this university). So according to their new rules, i must pay (hence i usually do). I use the library at this university fairly regularly.

In relation to the PCN and my mental issues (hence blue badge) i was emailed by this university when i was thinking of applying there 3 years ago. I informed them that because of my issues, i would struggle to get to classes but wondered if they could make some exceptions for me. They did. They said i could park in the GOVERNORS CAR PARK as a concession (this car park is right by the building i'd have been in the majority of times). Their own students with blue badges can park for free. I still have the emails where they grant me access (as a prospective student). In the end, i didn't apply there as my mental health issues can be up and down and i felt they'd restrict my ability to always attend classes. Hence the online course decision.

Considering i've missed the deadline for the reduced £35 fee, and considering i'm still waiting for the university department to reply to my request to cancel the PCN (the same department which gave me the concession for free parking 3 years ago), i wonder if it's worth an appeal. 

My assumption is that should i appeal before the 28 days deadline - one more week left - the fee of £70 won't rise? If they don't cancel the PCN, it seems worth it. (Unless the £70 CAN go up?). 

londonerryan

Also...

According to CAB, they should give you '5 to 10 minutes' grace... Although does this also apply to 'FREE for 20 minutes' parking spaces??

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/parking-tickets/when-to-appeal-a-parking-ticket/

Coupon-mad

Not on private land BUT the Equality Act 2010 does apply.  You are legally allowed more time. You should have said!

Appeal online to ParkingEye stating that you are a student with a Blue Badge and needed more time because of your condition which the University offered reasonable adjustments for, by email three years ago (don't say visiting student and don't say you didn't take up the place).

Upload pics or screenshots of these emails:

 When i was first thinking of applying there 3 years ago. I informed them that because of my issues, i would struggle to get to classes but wondered if they could make some exceptions for me. They did. They said i could park in the GOVERNORS CAR PARK as a concession (this car park is right by the building i'd have been in the majority of times). Their own students with blue badges can park for free. I still have the emails where they grant me access.

Upload both sides of your Blue Badge but redact your photo and the Reference number (you should never let third parties have a full copy).

I think they'll cancel or reduce it to £20.

Do not use a template. Do admit to driving.  Be polite and open about your need for an adjustment (small extension) of free time.

londonerryan

Coupon-mad said:

Not on private land BUT the Equality Act 2010 does apply.  You are legally allowed more time. You should have said!

Appeal online to ParkingEye stating that you are a student with a Blue Badge and needed more time because of your condition which the University offered reasonable adjustments for, by email three years ago (don't say visiting student and don't say you didn't take up the place).

Upload pics or screenshots of these emails:

 When i was first thinking of applying there 3 years ago. I informed them that because of my issues, i would struggle to get to classes but wondered if they could make some exceptions for me. They did. They said i could park in the GOVERNORS CAR PARK as a concession (this car park is right by the building i'd have been in the majority of times). Their own students with blue badges can park for free. I still have the emails where they grant me access.

Upload both sides of your Blue Badge but redact your photo and the Reference number (you should never let third parties have a full copy).

I think they'll cancel or reduce it to £20.

Do not use a template. Do admit to driving.  Be polite and open about your need for an adjustment (small extension) of free time.

Ok thanks. 

The university have replied to me basically saying their department is only there as a way for students outside of the 'exclusion zone' to apply for parking spaces (i.e. they have nothing to do with PCNs).

I will appeal later today to PE website. I'll upload edited scan of my blue badge and scans of the email(s) i was sent by the university 3 years ago. 

One final thing:

- Should i mention the Equality Act 2010, i.e. to say 'i thought i was entitled to more time', or should i just keep the appeal as short and simple as possible? 
- Should i mention that a member of staff said technically i had '30 mins free', or just not mention? 

KoalaMSEF

Which department of the university did you get in touch with? If they sign the contract with the parking company as the landowner, they have a lot to do with it. The challenge is to find the right department who signed the contract, it could be facility. Pressuring the university's relevant department and getting them into action is still the plan A. 

Parking companies run a semi-automatic scam with a clear step-by-step process that is designed to maximise their chance to get the money. Hence, in most cases appeals are rejected, with the reason of signage. Ultimately, it is a case of "who blinks first" or "see you in court." Getting it cancelled through the landowner is still the way to resolve it. 

Coupon-mad

londonerryan said:

Coupon-mad said:

Not on private land BUT the Equality Act 2010 does apply.  You are legally allowed more time. You should have said!

Appeal online to ParkingEye stating that you are a student with a Blue Badge and needed more time because of your condition which the University offered reasonable adjustments for, by email three years ago (don't say visiting student and don't say you didn't take up the place).

Upload pics or screenshots of these emails:

 When i was first thinking of applying there 3 years ago. I informed them that because of my issues, i would struggle to get to classes but wondered if they could make some exceptions for me. They did. They said i could park in the GOVERNORS CAR PARK as a concession (this car park is right by the building i'd have been in the majority of times). Their own students with blue badges can park for free. I still have the emails where they grant me access.

Upload both sides of your Blue Badge but redact your photo and the Reference number (you should never let third parties have a full copy).

I think they'll cancel or reduce it to £20.

Do not use a template. Do admit to driving.  Be polite and open about your need for an adjustment (small extension) of free time.: 

- Should i mention the Equality Act 2010, i.e. to say 'i thought i was entitled to more time', or should i just keep the appeal as short and simple as possible? 
- Should i mention that a member of staff said technically i had '30 mins free'

No and no. Just say exactly what I said.

londonerryan

KoalaMSEF said:

Which department of the university did you get in touch with? If they sign the contract with the parking company as the landowner, they have a lot to do with it. The challenge is to find the right department who signed the contract, it could be facility. Pressuring the university's relevant department and getting them into action is still the plan A. 

Parking companies run a semi-automatic scam with a clear step-by-step process that is designed to maximise their chance to get the money. Hence, in most cases appeals are rejected, with the reason of signage. Ultimately, it is a case of "who blinks first" or "see you in court." Getting it cancelled through the landowner is still the way to resolve it. 

The 'travel plan' department. They are the same department who granted me a parking space in the governor's car park 3 years ago when i was considering applying to this university (see above). In their parking regulations, there are also emails for the 'Director of estates and facilities management' and 'head of campus and residential services'. I mentioned my blue badge to them, the fact their printers weren't functioning on the day i literally went there to print a few sheets (usually takes 5 mins) but ended up being there 30 mins while printers were fixed. They just dismissed it as not their responsibility. I could email the same email to the 'Director of estates and facilities management' but i was told on the phone to email all such complaints to travel plan department.