MET Parking appeal - help needed please

Natasha_H

Hi

I submitted an appeal to MET Parking after being sent a NTK stating overstaying in a McDonald's carpark. Redacted copies of a bank statement showing proof of custom at the McDonald's and a redacted copy of the front of a blue badge of one of the occupants of the car was also sent.

MET Parking have responded to the appeal with the below:

"Thank you for your correspondence regarding the above parking charge notice. So that we can fully consider your appeal can you kindly provide us with a copy of the front and back of the Blue Badge, the "valid from" date also needs to be visible. This can be uploaded at www.appealmetparking.com. We have placed your charge on hold for a further 14 days to allow you time to send us this information. If we do not receive this by the end of the 14 days, we will have to reach a decision on your appeal based on the information we hold at that time."

I did not send them a copy of the back of the blue badge in the appeal so as to not identify the owner of the blue badge who was one of the occupants of the car. All they received was the front of the blue badge with the valid from date redacted and half of the reference number redacted. What was left visible was the name of the issuing council and the expiry date.

No admissions as to who was driving was made whilst appealing the NTK as the registered keeper of the vehicle.

Not having any experience in appealing a NTK before, I would be very grateful for some advice on what to do next in a response to MET Parking please? What are they entitled (or not) to see when submitting a blue badge as part of the appeal to them?

TIA

Gr1pr

Wait for the decision from MET Parking 

Meanwhile,  follow plan A in the newbies faq sticky thread in announcements,  complaining about the PCN to the landowner or retail park management company or business,  ASAP . Mention the Equality Act 2010 and add a redacted copy of both sides of the BB , hiding half the reference number,  half the name and obscure the picture first 

MET are not entitled to anything at all,  you do so at your discretion,  but plan A is the best option here 

Coupon-mad

I'd send them both sides but cover the photo. State that the BB holder was an occupant of the car.

Natasha_H

I just want to thank you both for all of your help. I did respond back to MET Parking Services with the back and front of the BB, redacted still, but showing them the Valid From date as they had requested. And I have received the following response from them this morning:

"Site: (710) McDonald's Lakeside

Issue date: 25/11/2024

Thank you for your correspondence regarding the above parking charge. We can confirm that this charge has been cancelled.

It follows that the charge is no longer due."

Thanks so much for your help, both of you. I wouldn't have had the bravery to try to challenge this if it wasn't for your gracious support and expert guidance.

Happy New Year x

Coupon-mad

That's good news!

This is a discriminatory situation solely caused by excessive misuse of ANPR though. It is illegal to hold disabled people to the same free fixed time limit as able bodied people.

The Government needs to address it this year and not by allowing ParkingEye & co to instal their 'new' system of individual bay bollard ANPR which requires the driver to jump through hoops to register their Blue Badge to claim exemption every time they visit. 

Natasha_H

Coupon-mad said:

That's good news!

This is a discriminatory situation solely caused by excessive misuse of ANPR though. It is illegal to hold disabled people to the same free fixed time limit as able bodied people.

The Government needs to address it this year and not by allowing ParkingEye & co to instal their 'new' system of individual bay bollard ANPR which requires the driver to jump through hoops to register their Blue Badge to claim exemption every time they visit. 

This sounds like a massive headache for all involved. I really did not know that this was the case. I hope the Government sees sense.