David Lloyd Parent and Child Parking Dispute

by_principle

Hi, 

I have read the amazing resource here regarding how to deal with these parking tickets and it’s very appreciated. 

My situation is as follows; I have been a long standing member of David Lloyd (3 or 4 years) and have a family membership of 4. They have recently introduced a parking enforcement company to manage use of the parent and child parking bays and require anyone who parks in these bays to register their reg for an e-permit.

I am a legitimate user of these bays and unfortunately when going to a swimming lesson with my child, I forgot to register their car at reception. Given 3/4 years of not having to do this, I would hope many people would be with me on this that it’s easy to forget. Regardless, and more to the point. This unfortunately is our second ticket - the first being unaware of the new system at all and that was successfully cancelled by management - plan A. This was due to insufficient comms and signage, many other parents were caught out in this. This time it was an honest mistake trying to get things done as a parent and forgetting to do an admin step even though legitimately parking in the space.

The enforcement company is NCP. Unfortunately I did not find this MSE resource until after I appealed and I have already identified myself as the driver, so cannot go the keepers route. I therefore need advice as to how to proceed in this case. Regarding plan A, I have escalated from assistant to general manager and now regional manager. The former 2 have completely dismissed my arguments and have insisted that even though they accept that I was parked there legitimately (I was there with my child), they still think that it is “fair” to not cancel the ticket as they are worried about their relationship with NCP. 

Please could I get advise as to how to proceed if I don’t get anywhere with plan A? 

Many many thanks.

by_principle

Sorry for all the typos and mistakes.. wrote that in a rush on my phone

Coupon-mad

NCP are likely to have issued a non-POFA NTK which you can easily check against the NTK pictures thread . Spot the difference in the wording. Anyone can do it.

Umkomaas

Can you confirm the name of the parking firm please. I wouldn't ordinarily associate NCP with monitoring parent and child spaces. 

Is it perhaps NPC (initials easily mixed up) as they are more likely to be monitoring small numbers of places, often using a hidden CCTV camera. 

Did you receive a windscreen PCN, or a letter through the post about it?

Car1980

I'd just try route A again and try and get it cancelled. I'd also throw in a complaint to head office that you are sick of having to jump through hoops when you're a legitimate customer and will be looking at going elsewhere.

They'd have a problem from a legitimate interest angle anyway. The legitimate interest is in preventing drivers without children from parking, not penalising drivers with children from legitimately using the space because they didn't inform the landowner they were there, when the landowner is free to look and see there is a child seat in the car.

by_principle

Hi! Thanks for the response.

I have repeatedly argued exactly what you have said, but they are refusing to cancel it because they want to make it “fair” for everyone. The system is fundamentally flawed - by design it allows anyone to park in those bays so long as they register the car reg. As you have also stated, the charge was put in place to reserve these places precisely for members like me, yet even if they acknowledge and accept all of my proof that I was there with child, they refuse to cancel it. I am still waiting on the regional manager to review the case but I’m losing faith. 

prowla

Did you ask to speak to a manager, as opposed to an assistant at the desk.

David Lloyd charge a lot for membership and if they want to make it an unattractive place to go then they will lose your custom.

by_principle

Umkomaas said:

Can you confirm the name of the parking firm please. I wouldn't ordinarily associate NCP with monitoring parent and child spaces. 

Is it perhaps NPC (initials easily mixed up) as they are more likely to be monitoring small numbers of places, often using a hidden CCTV camera. 

Did you receive a windscreen PCN, or a letter through the post about it?

Thanks for your response!

It is indeed NCP. I think it is custom for David lloyd. 

I got a letter through post. 

Sorry I remember the guidance said to post the letter for info, I can do that when I have access to laptop. 

by_principle

I mean I suspect that NCP are monitoring parent and child bays for David Lloyd as a custom req.

Coupon-mad

by_principle said:

Umkomaas said:

Can you confirm the name of the parking firm please. I wouldn't ordinarily associate NCP with monitoring parent and child spaces. 

Is it perhaps NPC (initials easily mixed up) as they are more likely to be monitoring small numbers of places, often using a hidden CCTV camera. 

Did you receive a windscreen PCN, or a letter through the post about it?

Thanks for your response!

It is indeed NCP. I think it is custom for David lloyd. 

I got a letter through post. 

Sorry I remember the guidance said to post the letter for info, I can do that when I have access to laptop. 

We'd rather not!

Please do the spot the difference that I suggested.

by_principle

Oh I’m so sorry it’s NPC!!!!