I Park Parking Fine

Shivaldo

Hello everyone. First time posting. I know there are numerous threads on IPark and equally dodgy parking companies, but I would welcome some advice. The Car Park for my doctors surgery was handed over to IPark on the 1st Feb this year. On the 2nd Feb, I visited the doctors for a blood test. I arrived and attempted to get a parking ticket. The machine would not progress as per it's own instructions and so I couldn't get a ticket. I then followed the online instructions on the wall next to the machine. I entered a 4 digit location code given on the instructions, only for it to tell me that this location was not yet set up. I couldn't possibly get a ticket.

I had my tests and when I came back, I tried again, this time filming the ticket machine and explaining that the 4 digit code wasn't yet set up. A fine followed a week later. I appealed naturally and explained the above. When I reviewed the video I had taken, I saw that I had entered a 5 instead of a 4 for my vehicle registration (that's not to say I did in incorrectly during my first attempt, on arrival). Due to this, I was reluctant to use the video as evidence.

My appeal has since been declined, as all they have done is remind me of my discretion and not made any reference to my mitigation I have now appealed to the Independent Appeal Service. Assuming this too is declined, I am of a will to take this as far as possible, irrespective of my video being able to be used as evidence. My rational is that if they have a parking payment system that wasn't fully set up, I cannot surely be liable if payment wasn't possible. I would appreciate anybody's thoughts on this. 

ChirpyChicken

It will be declined 

DE_612183

1. It's not a FINE - it's an INVOICE.
2. Contact the doctors ask them to cancel it.
3. Did you admit to being the driver in any communications?

Nellymoser

Tell the Drs Catherine Atkinson MP said:

“It’s completely unacceptable for private parking companies to penalise people for their own system flaws."

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81152306/#Comment_81152306

Complain to your MP if Drs don't cancel pcn.

Please sign this petition demanding the re-launch of the Govt backed Parking Code 🙏 

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/701453

Coupon-mad

You'll never pay it but should now upload your evidence video to the non-impartial IAS.

And just complain to the landowner of course! First thing to do.

Shivaldo

Thanks all.
The Doctors surgery insist they have no control over the car park since the NHS sold it to a 'third party'. Does anybody know how to go about finding out who owns the car park? I have explained to IPark how I could not pay and so I can't argue I wasn't the driver. I read somewhere else that if this were to go to court, I would have to prove I didn't deliberately try to avoid payment. I think I can do that. Also, IPark may not choose to pursue via the courts and even if they did and I were to lose, costs would 'only' be one to two hundred pound. The fine right now, will be £100 because I have refused to pay it so I may as well carry on in my stance. Unless someone can tell me otherwise, with perhaps a little more detail than 'it will be declined' (thanks anyway Chirpy Chicken).   

ChirpyChicken

What other detailed do you need. 
The doctors surgery own the car park . 
It hasn't been sold . Go to the person who arranged the contract with I park.

GrannyKate

It is fairy unlikely that NHS sold land surrounding a surgery to a third party but possible although money from NHS land sales goes direct to the Treasury and not the local NHS.  If this is a newish surgery you could look on planning records to see who applied.  If the surgery are saying the NHS sold the car park then they presumably don't own the surgery and have a lease with somebody? They must also have some contact whereby they 'white list' the surgery staff. 

You could send an FOIA request to NHS Property Services to ask if they hold any information on that surgery and its car park.  Unlike private organisations NHS Property Services are bound by law to answer preferably within 20 working days.  They have a very informative FOIA page on their website.  https://www.property.nhs.uk/freedom-of-information/

Sloppyjoe

This makes no sense the majority of Doctors surgeries are owned by the practice themselves and run as a business, it is highly unlikely that the NHS own the land unless next to a hospital.

It sounds like they are fobbing you off, the same way that many supermarket CS people do for a quiet life. 

They won't have sold it to the parking company, but if it is leased on shared property the landowner may have engaged the PPC.

Please stop calling this a "fine" it puts you and anyone you deal with in the wrong mindset.

Shivaldo

Thanks again. This part of the statement issued by the surgery concerning the Car Park in question - 'As you may be aware, NHS Properties has sold St Martins Clinic (the building next to our surgery) and the associated car park to a third party. The new owners will be converting the car park into a pay-and-display facility. Please note that this change is unrelated to the City Walls Medical Centre.' I've tried an online search but to no avail as yet.

ChirpyChicken

Have you tried a land registry search but they now cost £7
However I wouldn't bother and just await any court claim