Hospital Car Park Parking Charge Notice

flyingupthere

Hello

I'd like to ask for some advice please concerning a parking charge notice issued by Euro Car Parks in relation to a hospital car park.

The driver spent a long time circling the car park trying to find a space but none were available.  She had a pre-scheduled surgical appointment and, due to childcare issues, also had to bring a 4 year old child with her who was feverish and unwell on the day and so was distressed in the back of the car.  After circling for some time, in order not to miss her appointment she parked in the only available space (one of ten empty electric vehicle bays, although her car was not an EV) and headed in to her appointment.  She did pay the parking charge via the app.

She returned to find a parking charge notice on the car for parking a non electric vehicle within an EV bay.

On behalf of the driver I have complained to PALS who have so far been unhelpful.  I explained the situation and that the driver did the best that she could in the circumstances and acted in good faith as she didn't want to be late for her pre-booked hospital appointment because of the knock-on effects that could have for the PRUH's operations and other patients. 

I also said I could not see how it is in the Hospital's interests to insist on the charge in these circumstances - would they have preferred her to continue circling the car park and miss her appointment and cause knock on delays for other patients?

PALS seem to be acting as a go-between between me and the hospital's Capital, Estates and Facilities team who have refused to cancel the notice.  When asked why, that team have just said the notice was validly issued.  I asked whether they had taken the wider circumstances into account and they said they refuse to provide evidence.

I have initiated a complaint with the Hospital's complaints team but that could take some time to resolve, I would expect.

Meanwhile, the parking charge notice says that the amount doubles if it is not paid by next week.

I have read the stickies here, but would appreciate further guidance.  Many thanks in advance.

Gr1pr

Definitely keep on at PALS, at the trusts CEO and also complain about it to your local MP too

Meanwhile,  if its not resolved by day 26 following the ECP issue date on the PCN,  appeal to ECP using the blue text template in the newbies FAQ sticky thread in announcements,  to extend the time whilst you are complaining,  keeping on with plan A 

Check the NHS guidelines too, in case they help you 

However,  the pcn was correctly issued if the driver parked a fossil fuel vehicle in an EV only bay,  depriving anyone who needed it for an EV only vehicle 

flyingupthere

Gr1pr said:

Definitely keep on at PALS, at the trusts CEO and also complain about it to your local MP too

Meanwhile,  if its not resolved by day 26 following the ECP issue date on the PCN,  appeal to ECP using the blue text template in the newbies FAQ sticky thread in announcements,  to extend the time whilst you are complaining,  keeping on with plan A 

Check the NHS guidelines too, in case they help you 

However,  the pcn was correctly issued if the driver parked a fossil fuel vehicle in an EV only bay,  depriving anyone who needed it for an EV only vehicle 

Thank you for your response, much appreciated.

I agree that the PCN was correctly issued, although there were several EV bays available for the whole time the driver was there - the car park seemed to have significantly overestimated the demand for these spaces - so in practice noone else was deprived of the space.

Gr1pr

Its the trust that makes the rules,  but the driver would likely get a pcn for it at any uk car park or filling station,  regardless of how many bays there are,  Ditto with blue badge bays 

Don't get me wrong, I understand their predicament,  but the consequences are a PCN,  wherever it happens,  because EV cars may require charging whilst attending the hospital,  Ditto with blue badge spaces etc. This is why they are saying that it was correctly issued 

Coupon-mad

But that doesn't mean pay it.

flyingupthere

Coupon-mad said:

But that doesn't mean pay it.

Because no valid NTK has been issued yet?

Gr1pr

No, dont pay it regardless,  nobody mentioned paying it , just follow the process to drag it out,  whilst relying on plan A 

Usually a keeper appeals a windscreen pcn around day 26

Coupon-mad

flyingupthere said:

Coupon-mad said:

But that doesn't mean pay it.

Because no valid NTK has been issued yet?

No.  Nobody pays private parking charges all the time the industry remains unregulated.