UKPC - PCN

jrc123

Hi Forum,

I'm back again with another PCN—this time for parking slightly outside a white line.

I've already submitted the standard template appeal to UKPC, which was unsurprisingly rejected. They've now issued me a POPLA code.

Would it be worth proceeding with an appeal to POPLA? If so, is there an up-to-date template I should be using?

Thanks in advance for your help

(PS, my track record is 1 win again a private firm and 1 win against the council for a dodgy bus lane).

Brie

I'll wait for the experts to come along and advise on the Popla appeal.  

Curious to know what was dodgy about the bus lane?

jrc123

Brie said:

I'll wait for the experts to come along and advise on the Popla appeal.  

Curious to know what was dodgy about the bus lane?

The markings on the them were terrible - now repainted, a great money earner for the council
https://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/19525536.council-rakes-1m-fines-single-east-london-bus-lane/

Sovereign_Hunter_999

Was it time consuming to appeal?

jrc123

Sovereign_Hunter_999 said:

Was it time consuming to appeal?

everything take a bit of time and patience

jrc123

Anyone able to help with the POPLA Appeal?

Nellymoser

I don't think there's an appeal template. The NEWBIES thread 3rd post SECOND STAGE APPEAL - POPLA OR IAS can help and you'll also see winning appeal points in POPLA decisions thread. 

jrc123

thanks will check that out!

Any advice on how to tackle a PCN for not parked within a white line?

thanks

Coupon-mad

I'd only do POPLA knowing it will probably lose. Mainly get time stamped photos of the LACK of signs in the same lighting conditions.

jrc123

@Coupon-mad
thanks for the response i shall await the response from POPLA :-)

jrc123

Sooo some new updates here

I have appealed to POPLA who have requested further infomation from myself. UKPC have upload a lot of documents and contract a lot with the redacted info of the landowner etc

I have sent a complaint directly to the managing agent of the land and one of the employees respond to my complaint with this:

Thank you for your email below which we have fully investigated.

 Having reviewed all of the supporting information around the PCN, and discussed this with UKPC and our client (the Freeholder of Gallions Reach Shopping Park), the decision is that the charge will be upheld.

 Should you wish to appeal the charge you may do so through POPLA, which is an independent service that reviews UKPC's decisions.

 Kind regards,

quite surprised they didn't want to just cancel this, but the original general manager of the retail park was not in the slightest bit helpful. The freeholder must really like the income from the PCN's it issues to shoppers in a free car park!

I have now sent back a response to the landowner/managing agent:

While I note your decision to uphold the charge following consultation with UKPC and the Freeholder, I am disappointed that no specific reasoning has been provided in response to the points I raised. I outlined clearly the unique and mitigating circumstances surrounding this situation—namely, the safety needs of a newborn child in a quiet, underutilised section of a free car park—and yet your reply does not appear to engage with these considerations at all.

For the avoidance of doubt, I am the registered keeper of the vehicle but am not confirming who was driving at the time of the alleged contravention. Nonetheless, the circumstances described remain relevant and reflect the experience of the party present during the visit.

I respectfully request a more detailed explanation of the grounds on which the charge has been upheld. In particular, I would appreciate clarification as to why the context provided—including photographic evidence and the clear lack of obstruction caused—was not deemed sufficient to justify leniency or cancellation.

You have advised that I may pursue this matter via POPLA; however, I do not believe that route represents the fairest or most appropriate way to resolve a situation that calls for reasonable discretion and empathy at a local level. Furthermore, according to the British Parking Association, over 50% of PCNs appealed through POPLA are ultimately cancelled—demonstrating that a significant number of operator decisions are overturned on independent review.

I would also note that there have been instances where similar PCNs have not held up under legal scrutiny. In particular, cases where vehicles were parked slightly outside marked bays due to personal or safety-related mitigating factors—especially in quiet car parks—have failed when pursued in court. This reflects the judiciary’s expectation that proportionality and common sense be applied in such matters.

I would like to offer your team a final opportunity to kindly reconsider this matter in the spirit of fairness and good judgement. I have reattached an image showing the car park on that very day. ( the red arrow highlighting the vehicle)

Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to your response.

Kind regards,

I am in the middle of the POPLA appeal and complaining to the managing agent of the retail park.

Any other recommendation?