Parking Enforcement Agency (PCPEA) - Queen Alexander Hospital, Portsmouth

Darthij

Hi everyone, hoping for some advice on my parking situation at Queen Alexandra Hospital. I've been through the Newbies thread and followed the advice as best I can, but I'm now at a bit of a loss.

Here's the timeline:

• 4/12/24: Parked at Queen Alexandra Hospital, in the multi-storey car park. Signage on the bottom floor directs you to pay on foot. The machines at the barrier were broken, with no signage redirecting me to the correct machines. Upon exiting the hospital, I spotted a poorly lit sign with small, difficult-to-read text stating the pay machines were on the top floor of the car park. I genuinely didn't see this until I was leaving and at this point, I was already late.
• Immediately: I tried to contact PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) as per the Newbies thread advice. However, I only received an automated response stating they would not be looking at parking complaints received after 2/12/24.
• Following Newbies advice: I then appealed to PCPEA using the Edna Basher draft appeal adapted for companies, as I was driving a company car.
• 6/1/25: Received a response from PEA rejecting my appeal. They haven't addressed any of my points about the inadequate signage or the broken machines

"There are no fewer than 20 signs on display in the multi-storey car park indicating the car park is a Pay on Exit car park, stating drivers must pay on foot before leaving at the numerous machines made available in more than one location within the car parks.
...

In your appeal you refer to POFA, stating that the PCPEA did not fulfill their obligations under POFA, but you do not say how those obligations were not fulfilled hence we can not comment on that. All our processes and notices have been audited and approved by both the DVLA and our trade body the IPC to ensure they comply with POFA. POFA compels you as the hirer of this vehicle to identify the driver of the above mentioned vehicle on that day, In the absence of an alternative contact for us to issue this PCN to, we are continuing to hold you liable for this PCN as the named hirer of the vehicle at the date of the contravention.
...

My questions:

1. Ignore and wait for LBCCC? I understand the Independent Appeals Service (IAS) is generally considered a waste of time. Is my best course of action now to simply ignore further correspondence and wait for the inevitable Letter Before County Court Claim (LBCCC)?
2. PALS worth pursuing further? Given the automated response, is there any point in trying to escalate my complaint with PALS, perhaps by phone? The core of my issue is the poor signage and hospital's responsibility.
3. MP Involvement? Would it be worth contacting my MP about this? I've heard mixed reports about whether this is helpful in parking cases.
4. Company Car Complication: Does the fact it's a company car add any extra layers of complexity?
5. Anything else? Has anyone else experienced similar issues at Queen Alexandra Hospital, particularly with the signage in the multi-storey? Any other angles I should be considering? The signage was truly terrible, combined with broken payment machines at the barrier. The new payment machines where far from visible and the signage directing you to them was small and poorly lit. I believe PEA (or the Hospital) is failing in their duty to provide clear instructions on how to pay.

Any advice or guidance on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated. I'm feeling quite frustrated by this whole situation.

Thanks in advance!

Gr1pr

1) is one option 

2) definitely,  plus complain about it to the CEO reminding them both about the latest NHS guidelines and responsibilities 

3) definitely , it's always helpful,  local MPs should be lobbying the MHCLGif nothing else 

4) yes, unless you have told the parking company who was driving 

5) dont bother with the IAS unless a trusted person on here has an angle to give you 

ChirpyChicken

This firm has been at this site for years
small time, nothing to worry about

Darthij

ChirpyChicken said:

This firm has been at this site for years
small time, nothing to worry about

Thanks, so ignore at this point?

ChirpyChicken

yes indeed

Coupon-mad

Seconded. Ignore.