£100 parking fine for exceeding 20 min limit in private car park at train station

Kilimanjaro58

On 24 October 2024 I went to collect a friend from train station and parked in the small crowded car park.  I accept that there is free parking for 10mins, clearly shown.

On 20 November (almost a month later) I received a letter from APC0A parking advising me of a £100 fine for no valid payment, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days (14 days after date of notice (18/11/24).

His train was due in at 16:14. I arrived at 16:15. Once parked, I read a Watsap message from him at 16:14 advising that his train was delayed and he would let me know when moving. I waited in the car, the time passed quickly and he arrived at 16:56 - 42 mins late. (Watsap messages retained as proof).  Train company (X country) advised him there was a trespasser on the line.

There was nowhere for me to move to. Yellow lines outside the station. IF I had realised and left the station at 16:35 I would not have been able to return to find a place, as it was full.

I accept that APCOA  are a separate entity form the Railway, but £100 seems excessive through no fault of my own or my friend.

My question is do I pay the £50 fine or have I a reasonable case to appeal? Thanks very much for some advice before 2nd December

Thank you
Kilimanjaro58
(69year old pensioner - 1st ever post!)

Kilimanjaro58

Kilimanjaro58 said:

On 24 October 2024 I went to collect a friend from train station and parked in the small crowded car park.  I accept that there is free parking for 10mins, clearly shown.

On 20 November (almost a month later) I received a letter from APC0A parking advising me of a £100 fine for no valid payment, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days (14 days after date of notice (18/11/24).

His train was due in at 16:14. I arrived at 16:15. Once parked, I read a Watsap message from him at 16:14 advising that his train was delayed and he would let me know when moving. I waited in the car, the time passed quickly and he arrived at 16:56 - 42 mins late. (Watsap messages retained as proof).  Train company (X country) advised him there was a trespasser on the line.

There was nowhere for me to move to. Yellow lines outside the station. IF I had realised and left the station at 16:35 I would not have been able to return to find a place, as it was full.

I accept that APCOA  are a separate entity form the Railway, but £100 seems excessive through no fault of my own or my friend.

My question is do I pay the £50 fine or have I a reasonable case to appeal? Thanks very much for some advice before 2nd December

Thank you
Kilimanjaro58
(69year old pensioner - 1st ever post!)

I meant to say - 20 mins free parking in the text and Double Yellow lines outside the station. Kilimanjaro58

Gr1pr

You appeal as keeper using the same no keeper liability appeal as seen in other APCOA train station threads on here this year 

No blabbing about who was driving or about the incident itself, ONLY POFA not applying so no keeper liability 

The £100 figure is probably about 12 years old now, so whatever the figure is doesn't matter, its a standard default number 

Kilimanjaro58

Thank you SO much for your speedy reply Gr1pr. Really appreciated. 

I did try to find examples on this forum re parking/train stations but found nothing. Probably not doing it correctly. Because I'm new at this, please would you be kind enough to show me where they are located.

Thank you in advance 

LDast

Did you receive a "Parking Charge Notice" or a "Penalty Notice"? Either way, even if you did nothing, APCOA would eventually give up. They do not litigate.

Kilimanjaro58

Thank you L Dast. It was a Parking Charge Notice.

I'm feeling much more confident to appeal now, but just need to locate relevant station/parking templates

Coupon-mad

Kilimanjaro58 said:

Thank you L Dast. It was a Parking Charge Notice.

I'm feeling much more confident to appeal now, but just need to locate relevant station/parking templates

Eh? It's easy! As easy as Googling. Search the forum for something obvious like:

APCOA station parking charge appeal

or

APCOA railway parking charge appeal

Kilimanjaro58

Thank you Coupon-Mad. Found it now I'm less stressed.

Kilimanjaro58

OMG. You people are all SO wonderful. Thank you so much for your help and patience and knowledge. I followed your advice to the letter and, this morning, I received an email saying the charge had been cancelled. I'm so proud of myself for challenging them. But could not have done so without your guidance 🙏🙏 . Now, what shall I do with the £100 saved 🤣

Coupon-mad

Kilimanjaro58 said:

OMG. You people are all SO wonderful. Thank you so much for your help and patience and knowledge. I followed your advice to the letter and, this morning, I received an email saying the charge had been cancelled. I'm so proud of myself for challenging them. But could not have done so without your guidance 🙏🙏 . Now, what shall I do with the £100 saved 🤣

Easy when you know how! Merry Xmas.