Horizon Wanstead flats

Salamander1722

Dear Forumites,

Horizon has been contracted to enforce the parking at Wanstead Flats, Epping Forest’s city of london.

a bunch of us football parents have been caught out with a slew of charges. I’ve been sent x3 over 3 days.

We hadn’t realised it was pay and display and as there is free parking on the roads and in the other car park thought nothing of it until they started enforcing.

any advice? I was going to follow the newbie advice and contest just before the 28 day issue date. 

Coupon-mad

Salamander1722 said:

Dear Forumites,

Horizon has been contracted to enforce the parking at Wanstead Flats, Epping Forest’s city of london.

a bunch of us football parents have been caught out with a slew of charges. I’ve been sent x3 over 3 days.

We hadn’t realised it was pay and display and as there is free parking on the roads and in the other car park thought nothing of it until they started enforcing.

any advice? I was going to follow the newbie advice and contest just before the 28 day issue date. 

Gather evidence of the lack of prominent signs and in your POPLA appeals x 3 quote the October 2024 'Joint Code of Practice' clause about 'extra' signs being required for new restrictions. 

No need to delay till near day 28; that advice is only for windscreen PCNs.

PUT A SHOUT OUT TO EVERYONE AFFECTED:

NO PAYING!

DON'T LET ANY PARENT PAY. IF THEY DO, THEY HAVE MORE MONEY THAN SENSE.

What happened when you all complained to the landowner? These should be cancelled. Surely the landowner doesn't want to penalise parents of kids playing football?

Also, using ANPR at a site where some parents probably drop kids off, then return later to pick them up, isn't suitable because it will churn out 'double dip' PCNs that wrongly state cars were on site for the whole time. These drivers don't even park, let alone stay!

This remote camera system is an auto - PCN machine which doesn't take account of comings & goings of cars which return in a single morning/day and thus it doesn't work fairly for visiting football parents.

These PCNs will breach the DPA 2018 and UKGDPR by getting DVLA data illegally (in double dip cases).

Even if some parents did park, if the signs about the changes in rules and unexpected new payment obligation are not VERY prominent indeed, then they fail the POFA test of 'adequate notice'.

Complain to the landowner.

Salamander1722

There is no way to find someone at city of London. It’s deliberately impossible. 

Thank you and will do. Quick question, the first charge only gives 14 days to ‘appeal’ the others 28. Two different formats, I’ve missed that 14 day one, submit the appeal by email anyway? Or wait for NTK.

Salamander1722

I’ve been looking at the Lucas Bb thread with template. Is this the one we should use?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6576444/horizon-28-days-error-popla-appeal-2025/p4

Zinger549

Is this the Harrow road car park?  The Corporation of London made all the Epping Forest car parks pay and display in 2021

fisherjim

If it belongs to The Corporation of London it's not relevant land surely?

Salamander1722

Yes, it’s a ringo operated parking scheme. The generators with the cameras on masts appeared at two of the main car parks. I thought they were monitoring criminal activity via the Epping constabulary or something. 🙄

It’s the Alexandra Road car park and the Centre road car parks, possibly others too. 

The irony being, all the roads close to Alexandra road are free parking at weekends and there’s a large free car park by the changing rooms and rangers sheds. Hence why we’ve always been at ease?!?!

/www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/epping-forest/car-parking-at-epping-forest

Coupon-mad

So it looks like the City of London think they can treat Epping Forest as if it's private land and with ANPR, despite the fact that's illegal under the Deregulation Act 2015:

Enforcement of car parking fees will be by way of a penalty charge notice, issued by a contractor on behalf of Epping Forest. Details of this can be found on the parking terms and conditions boards in each pay and display car park. 
Fees are £60 if paid within 14 days, rising to £100 if payment is not made in this period.

But ... the sum of £100 discounted to £60 IS NOT 'a penalty charge notice'.

This farce is similar to the operation at Kent Country Parks, with this being the latest news article:

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/i-d-rather-go-to-prison-than-pay-140-euro-car-parks-fine-320781/

That involves Euro Car Parks, who are reportedly using crap old machines that cause LOTS AND LOTS of 'keying error' £100 PCNs.

Salamander1722

Do I submit POPLA appeals immediately or do I need to appeal via Horizon first?

fisherjim

Salamander1722 said:

Do I submit POPLA appeals immediately or do I need to appeal via Horizon first?

You can only do POPLA when Horizon reject your appeal and give you a POPLA code.

Coupon-mad

Salamander1722 said:

There is no way to find someone at city of London. It’s deliberately impossible. 

Thank you and will do. Quick question, the first charge only gives 14 days to ‘appeal’ the others 28. Two different formats, I’ve missed that 14 day one, submit the appeal by email anyway? Or wait for NTK.

Are all of them POFA compliant in the top paragraph on the back?

Is the 14 day one headed 'Reminder'?

Have you looked at other Horizon threads and found the magic words that still work to make them cancel?