Pcn from 2020

Feva09

Apologies for this being a long one.

In January 2020, I was working on a pub, I was the main contractor for the pub refurb, the pub is next to a car park that belongs to the business on the other side of the car park, the pub has always had 1 free parking spot, the carpark used to operate with a old timer in a booth, that went, and in 2020 a smart parking Ltd machine and cameras were put up, but the cameras weren't active immediately.

Over the road was a free council run car park, so we would all park there, me being main contractor meant towards the end of the job I was constantly popping out for materials for different trades, which means I would often end up having to park in the paid car park, which I paid for but would keep a eye on the free car park and move the van over ASAP, In two weeks I paid roughly £43 in the paid car park.

Towards the end of the job, the area manager popped in, Ive known him since he was a glass collector, so get on great, I mentioned to him it's costing me a fortune in parking, he then mentioned that he will go to the business on the other side of the car park, and put my reg down for the free spot.

On 21st and 24th of January I've got a pcn, but I have photo evidence of the machine being out of order, it was notorious for this I found out later.

I didn't get the noticed of pcn till end of February, beginning of March as the fine went to the same address as mine but to a village 20 minutes away, I only found out after the house it was going to had returned a few of the letter with 'not known at this address', they then remembered I had done work for them about 5 years previously, so they rang me, I went to pick up the letters and appealed it, on the grounds of machine was out of order, why would I buy £43 worth of tickets to miss the two days the machine was out of order, and on the grounds that I was put down for the free parking spot, (can get a letter to prove this from area manager if needs be), they rejected the appeal, I appealed to the ombudsman, the day before lock down, week before lockdown we had a family member (11yrs) placed with us through social services, and two weeks into lockdown I broke my arm, I never heard anything back from anyone but with everything that was going on it completely slipped my mind, till I got two letter from debt collectors a couple of days ago.

I'm happy to pay something reasonable but not paying £170 on each ticket, or I'm happy to fight it in court.

I can't afford to pay out £340 so whether it's £340 or a £1000 I can't afford it so I'm happy to go to court in screwed either way.

What's my options folks? Will the court move the court to one nearer to me?

Should I approach the debt collectors and say I'l pay £20/30 on each ticket to settle it otherwise I'l take my chances in court?

I keep hearing about the 3 letters method should I try that or is that tin foil hat stuff?

Also I'm hearing they have 28 days to notify me of the pcn, it definitely was over 28 days.

Many thanks. 

Coupon-mad

You're only getting debt demands, so you are at the point shown in the fourth post of the NEWBIES thread, with the pics of the usual £170 threatograms to laugh at and ignore...

...except you must respond ONCE to change your address - that's urgent - and NOT BY PHONE.

Will the court move the court to one nearer to me?

Yes. But you don't have a claim form?

Should I approach the debt collectors and say I'l pay £20/30 on each ticket to settle it,

No. of course not!  You will never pay this and you're right, £340 for 2 PCNs due to their fault, isn't fair or proportionate. Nobody would pay.

otherwise I'l take my chances in court?

That's the right answer. We'll help you win.

I keep hearing about the 3 letters method should I try that or is that tin foil hat stuff?

Sounds like Freeman of the Land gobbledegook and therefore, utter codswallop.

Feva09

Coupon-mad said:

You're only getting debt demands, so you are at the point shown in the fourth post of the NEWBIES thread, with the pics of the usual £170 threatograms to laugh at and ignore...

...except you must respond ONCE to change your address - that's urgent - and NOT BY PHONE.

Will the court move the court to one nearer to me?

Yes. But you don't have a claim form?

Should I approach the debt collectors and say I'l pay £20/30 on each ticket to settle it,

No. of course not!  You will never pay this and you're right, £340 for 2 PCNs due to their fault, isn't fair or proportionate. Nobody would pay.

otherwise I'l take my chances in court?

That's the right answer. We'll help you win.

I keep hearing about the 3 letters method should I try that or is that tin foil hat stuff?

Sounds like Freeman of the Land gobbledegook and therefore, utter codswallop.

Just to confirm, I hadn't changed address the address it went to was the same house number and same round name just different town. 


Thank your reply, what's my best course of action from now? 

Le_Kirk

Feva09 said:

Just to confirm, I hadn't changed address the address it went to was the same house number and same round name just different town. 

Thank your reply, what's my best course of action from now? 

Is it EXACTLY the same address as on your V5C?  I would send a Data Rectification Notice to the DPO of the PPC advising them of the problem and making sure they use your FULL address for service, including postcode.  Tell them they must advise all and any of their agents and sub-contractors of same!