Parking Eye @ Royal Bolton Hospital - blue badge holder

SumySani

Car1980 said:

Tell us the exact wording on the sign and what they have claimed they have ticketed you for. It's the contract they rely upon so if you're going to go appealing we need to know what it says for your case.

Anybody could say it's "legitimate" when it's anything but.

From the PCN it seems that they are charging me for parking in a staff car park and not having a permit or authorisation to park there.



The signage where I parked and displayed the blue badge on the dashboard

SumySani

Any comments on the below which I want to email to PALS, CEO of the trust and ParkingEye:

**Subject: Contesting PCN Charge Ref: xxxxxxx – Invalid Issue for Disabled Bay**

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to formally contest the PCN issued on 18/02/2024 (Ref Number xxxxxxx) regarding my vehicle, which was parked in a disabled bay at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

On the day in question, the driver transported my 86-year-old elderly person, a valid blue badge holder, to his outpatient appointment. The vehicle was parked in a designated disabled bay, with the blue badge clearly displayed on the dashboard, as shown in the photographs attached to the PCN.

While the signage clearly indicated that the bay was for patient use only, it also had yellow chevrons typically used to designate disabled parking. The blue badge was displayed correctly and the timing of the entry was within the allowed period. However, the issue arises because the car used that day was not the usual vehicle for the patient. Despite this, the blue badge is linked to the person, not the vehicle, and was valid for the patient attending the appointment.

There were no signs in the car park indicating that the vehicle needed to be registered at reception. Additionally, this parking lot, located opposite the J Block entrance, does not have pay machines where the car registration details could have been entered.

Given that the car and the driver do not reside in Bolton and were only there to transport the patient, it seems unreasonable to issue a PCN for a legitimate use of the blue badge. The charge appears to be a misunderstanding of the rules, as the driver adhered to all relevant parking regulations.

I have attached the relevant pictures showing that the parking bay is designated for patient use and the sign indicating that staff should register for a permit. As the driver was not a staff member, this notice would not have applied.

I respectfully request that the PCN be cancelled, as it was issued incorrectly under these circumstances. Furthermore, if this matter is not resolved, it may be of interest to local media, as this issue highlights a potentially misleading and confusing system for blue badge holders.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to your prompt response.

Kind regards,  

Nellymoser

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Car1980

Did you pay any money to park?

Registration is to obtain free parking. There is nothing about you need to register in order to gain permission to park per se.

SumySani

@Car1980:
No I did not pay as we have a blue badge and I do not recall seeing that sign in the car park where I parked. The parking was in the Cooper and Ernsting Car Park. The car park was mainly for staff with permits, however there were approximately 3 disabled bays at the front which said Patient Parking Only.  Hence I parked in that bay and displayed the Blue Badge on the dashboard.  The picture with the sign above is not in that car park.

SumySani

The email address for ParkingEye does not work. the email bounces back.
The appeal has to go in via the website. I have just copied the same details as what was sent to PALS and CEO of the trust.

GrannyKate

Treat PALS and the CEO separate to Parking Eye.  A quick hunt on google shows a confusing array of signs at this place with staff parking muddled up with visitor parking.  No idea what signs they have now but can't see any reason why PALS shouldn't cancel this if signs were as you say. 

Coupon-mad

PALS should get this cancelled.

Totally inadequate signage at that area.

Car1980

SumySani said:

@Car1980:
No I did not pay as we have a blue badge and I do not recall seeing that sign in the car park where I parked. The parking was in the Cooper and Ernsting Car Park. The car park was mainly for staff with permits, however there were approximately 3 disabled bays at the front which said Patient Parking Only.  Hence I parked in that bay and displayed the Blue Badge on the dashboard.  The picture with the sign above is not in that car park.

So the breach of contract they are claiming is invalid.

You did not park in the area without authorisation.

You parked in the area with authorisation, because you displayed a blue badge.

You just didn't register in order to get free parking.

Their ticket should have said "parked without payment because the car was not registered for free parking."

But they didn't, so they're screwed.

Now you could in theory pay the couple of quid on Good2Go to cover things.

The sign says pay on exit. The website says you have 24 hours. So neither is clear and paying after 24 hours is equally as valid since they are not making anything clear.

SumySani

Latest update:
ParkingEye:- Still looking into the appeal - they can take up to 28 days for them to respond and hence the fine has now been frozen.
CEO - Responded saying it was cancelled, but realised they had shard a different Ref Number, replied back, apologising saying that they are still looking into it and revert back soon.
PALS:- Responded accepting that the fine is cancelled. The was inadequate signage, as that car park was for staff permit, however they have now allowed some visitor car parking for BB holders.  They did say that I should register the car with the BB.  
PALS will notify ParkingEye to cancel the fine.

Thanks for your help !