Received PCN from ParkDirectUK

pcnworrier7

Hi All,

I’ve received a Parking Charge Notice from ParkDirectUK for staying in a no-parking area for around 25 minutes. I was inside the vehicle the entire time and did not leave it unattended.

For context, I had parked there briefly while waiting for food from Shah's Halal Food. I did not leave the site, and my vehicle remained stationary for less than 25 minutes.

I submitted an appeal online within the required timeframe using the one size fits all template. However, I’ve now received a further notice from them.

Both notices are attached for reference. I’d really appreciate any advice from the experienced members here on how best to proceed from this point.

Previous online appeal sent below:

'Dear Park Direct UK,

I dispute your 'parking charge', as the keeper of the vehicle. I deny any liability or contractual agreement and I will be making a complaint about your predatory conduct to your client landowner.

There will be no admissions as to who was driving and no assumptions can be drawn. Since your PCN is a vague template, I require an explanation of the allegation and your evidence. You must include a close up actual photograph of the sign you contend was at the location on the material date as well as your images of the vehicle.

If the allegation concerns a PDT machine, the data supplied in response to this appeal must include the record of payments made - showing partial VRNs - and an explanation of the reason for the PCN, because your Notice does not explain it.

If the allegation involves an alleged overstay of minutes, your evidence must include the actual grace period agreed by the landowner.

At no point was traffic obstructed, an entrance blocked, or any inconvenience caused. The vehicle remained in the location for less than 25 minutes, with no awareness that stopping in that area was prohibited at night. As proof, I am attaching a screenshot of the transaction from Shah's Halal Food, confirming a genuine customer visit and stay for less than 25 minutes on that day'

Kind regards,

pcnwarrior7.

Gr1pr

Ignore them,  ignore any future powerless debt collectors letters too

Come back here if you receive a Letter of Claim or a Court claim against you within the next 6 years 

In future,  stick to public roads,  not private property 

pcnworrier7

Gr1pr said:

Ignore them,  ignore any future powerless debt collectors letters too

Come back here if you receive a Letter of Claim or a Court claim against you within the next 6 years 

In future,  stick to public roads,  not private property 

I appreciate your valuable advice. I will stick to public roads next time. 

nwusr

Hi, what ended up happening? I just got a PCN from them through the post too. I was in the car the whole time and it must have been around 15-20 mins max. There was no officer around taking pics, it was a guy in his car parked right behind me who took 2 pics a couple mins apart. I remember he was sat in the car behind the whole time. You can even see the glare of his own windshield in the photos. The PCN claims it was issued 5 days before it was even posted to me which gives me 8/9 days to even decide if i should appeal within the 14 days.

Coupon-mad

What you and the OP are describing is covert surveillance, which is illegal.

Put in a complaint to Park Direct (see their complaints policy) SPECIFICALLY talking about covert surveillance and tell them you will report them to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

THEN when they fob you off, report them to the ICO and include their own photos as evidence of what they are doing.

And just to say - why are drivers even going onto private land? I'd never sit in my car on private land like that picture posted by @pcnworrier7

After 7pm most streets are unrestricted in most towns & cities. Stay on the public highway, if waiting.

nwusr

Coupon-mad said:

What you and the OP are describing is covert surveillance, which is illegal.

Put in a complaint to Park Direct (see their complaints policy) SPECIFICALLY talking about covert surveillance and tell them you will report them to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

THEN when they fob you off, report them to the ICO and include their own photos as evidence of what they are doing.

And just to say - why are drivers even going onto private land? I'd never sit in my car on private land like that picture posted by @pcnworrier7

After 7pm most streets are unrestricted in most towns & cities. Stay on the public highway, if waiting.

Thanks for your response. I see what you mean. Would this get them to dismiss the parking ticket though and might they just deny covert surveillance if I don't have photographic proof? Or should I file the complaint and also appeal (even though im guessing any appeal will be rejected). Had I seen there was someone taking pics I would have left. It seems they put a much earlier date on the letter than when it was sent to me too so I need to decide if am gonna pay the £60 in the next couple days or go through the complaint process and have to pay the full £100 if not more. 

In terms of why I was on that road, there was no sign saying you can't enter it and there were bays so I just stopped in one while someone ran out to grab the food from the food cart that was right next to it. Wont be doing that again.

Coupon-mad

No they won't cancel. And I didn't tell you to appeal. I said lodge a Complaint.

The entire point is you have to complain first before you can report a company to the ICO.

nwusr

i'll go ahead with the complaint but what does that mean for the actual PCN if i'm not appealing it? I was wondering if. I should appeal, wait to be rejected then appeal to POPLA? If not, then do I pay the £60 within the 14 days or ignore and wait for them to take me to court? 

Coupon-mad

You will not EVER be paying.

Just do the complaint first using the exact words I said.

You have ages to also do an appeal.

nwusr

Hi Coupon-mad,

I read that it's better to split post per person to avoid confusion over time so I have started a new thread. I posted my complaint letter there too so maybe you can weigh in if there's something off about it? If all is good i'll send that to them today.