ParkingEye in Royal Bolton Hospital - next steps?

Likebuzzwithah

Hi, I was recently given a PCN at Royal Bolton Hospital after parking in the incorrect car park for 21 mins, realising that it was the incorrect car park, moving the car to the patient car park and paying for this. I then appealed to ParkingEye followed by to POPLA, but to no success (in hindsight, I should have visited this forum sooner). I have since emailed PALS to complain, and the following has been the email sent:

"Dear Bolton PALS Department,

I am writing to formally appeal against a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) issued by ParkingEye on 12/08/24 for my vehicle, registration number XXX.

As a healthcare professional working at Royal Bolton Hospital, I was on duty on the date in question. Due to the urgent nature of my work and the limited parking availability, I initially parked in the staff car park, which is restricted to permit holders. I was under the belief that I had been granted a parking permit.

However, upon realizing my error, I promptly moved my vehicle to the patient car park and paid for a parking ticket. I have attached photographic evidence of this payment as proof.

I understand that parking without a permit is against the rules. However, I believe that the circumstances surrounding this incident, coupled with my immediate action to rectify the situation, warrant leniency. As a dedicated healthcare worker, I often face time constraints and parking challenges, especially during busy shift times.

I have also attached a copy of my work rota for that day as evidence of my employment at the hospital.

I kindly request that you review this matter and consider the extenuating circumstances. I hope that you will overturn the PCN and waive the charge.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I look forward to a positive resolution.

Sincerely,"

This has been the response from PALS:

"Thank  you for your email. PALS team have forwarded your email to me.

 

Considering the mitigating circumstances, I have tried to cancel the parking charge(PCN) However, my cancellation request is Pending Review by Parking Eye.

Status: Pending Review

It is possible that you have made the second stage appeal with POPLA and they have already made their decision in Parking Eye’s favour. This is most likely the reason why my request is pending review. Once POPLA has made a decision on the appeal, unfortunately, there is nothing much we can do from this end.

I have asked Parking Eye for an update on this. As soon as I get a response from them, I will update you."

This has been ParkingEye's response:

"Thank you for your email regarding the above referenced Parking Charge.

 

We note that you have requested that this Parking Charge be cancelled but unfortunately, having reviewed the case, we can confirm that this matter has progressed. In this instance, the motorist appealed the Parking Charge upon receipt but their appeal was rejected by Parkingeye. They also then lodged a further appeal with POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals service) but this appeal was also refused. Within the appeal decision, the motorist was advised to pay the full Parking Charge in order to avoid further action.

 

However, as a gesture of goodwill, we can confirm that we have today contacted the motorist with a further opportunity for them to pay the discounted amount of the Parking Charge. We have asked that payment be made within the next 14 days."

Your advice on what to do next would be greatly appreciated.

 

Gr1pr

Had the PALS complaint been made at the start, as plan A, this would have been cancelled weeks ago 

But Parking Eye were taken to Popla by you, incurring the Extra Popla cost, so are probably out of pocket for perhaps around £40 including the DVLA fee, postage etc

The choice is yours, all I can say is Always try plan A first, complaining about the PCN to the correct entity, not appealing, your appeals were plans B & C and almost guaranteed to fail, especially with Parking Eye 

Half_way

load of rubbish response. the status of pola should have no bearing on the principal/landowners, they tell their agents to cease and thats that.

Coupon-mad

Likebuzzwithah said:

Hi, I was recently given a PCN at Royal Bolton Hospital after parking in the incorrect car park for 21 mins, realising that it was the incorrect car park, moving the car to the patient car park and paying for this. I then appealed to ParkingEye followed by to POPLA, but to no success (in hindsight, I should have visited this forum sooner). I have since emailed PALS to complain, and the following has been the email sent:

"Dear Bolton PALS Department,

I am writing to formally appeal against a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) issued by ParkingEye on 12/08/24 for my vehicle, registration number XXX.

As a healthcare professional working at Royal Bolton Hospital, I was on duty on the date in question. Due to the urgent nature of my work and the limited parking availability, I initially parked in the staff car park, which is restricted to permit holders. I was under the belief that I had been granted a parking permit.

However, upon realizing my error, I promptly moved my vehicle to the patient car park and paid for a parking ticket. I have attached photographic evidence of this payment as proof.

I understand that parking without a permit is against the rules. However, I believe that the circumstances surrounding this incident, coupled with my immediate action to rectify the situation, warrant leniency. As a dedicated healthcare worker, I often face time constraints and parking challenges, especially during busy shift times.

I have also attached a copy of my work rota for that day as evidence of my employment at the hospital.

I kindly request that you review this matter and consider the extenuating circumstances. I hope that you will overturn the PCN and waive the charge.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I look forward to a positive resolution.

Sincerely,"

This has been the response from PALS:

"Thank  you for your email. PALS team have forwarded your email to me.

 

Considering the mitigating circumstances, I have tried to cancel the parking charge(PCN) However, my cancellation request is Pending Review by Parking Eye.

Status: Pending Review

It is possible that you have made the second stage appeal with POPLA and they have already made their decision in Parking Eye’s favour. This is most likely the reason why my request is pending review. Once POPLA has made a decision on the appeal, unfortunately, there is nothing much we can do from this end.

I have asked Parking Eye for an update on this. As soon as I get a response from them, I will update you."

This has been ParkingEye's response:

"Thank you for your email regarding the above referenced Parking Charge.

 

We note that you have requested that this Parking Charge be cancelled but unfortunately, having reviewed the case, we can confirm that this matter has progressed. In this instance, the motorist appealed the Parking Charge upon receipt but their appeal was rejected by Parkingeye. They also then lodged a further appeal with POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals service) but this appeal was also refused. Within the appeal decision, the motorist was advised to pay the full Parking Charge in order to avoid further action.

 

However, as a gesture of goodwill, we can confirm that we have today contacted the motorist with a further opportunity for them to pay the discounted amount of the Parking Charge. We have asked that payment be made within the next 14 days."

Your advice on what to do next would be greatly appreciated.

Tell PALS this isn't good enough and POPLA is free for motorists. A victim of an unfair parking charge can't be blamed or penalised (or indirectly charged) for using POPLA.  Tell PALS to ask again for cancellation otherwise you will escalate the complaint to the CEO of the NHS Trust..