Europarks Fine

jo2975

Hi, I’m new here to asking for help. 

I was picking my sister up from Digneth coach station in Birmingham and the car park is owned by Euro Car Parks. They’ve issued a fine for £60 at the moment if I pay quickly. I appealed because it was a fine for a ‘no return’ but as I explained to them this is why. I entered the car park and saw the signage stating 30 minutes time limit. I called my sister on the coach and she was still far enough away that she could get caught in traffic around Birmingham so I left the car park, parked on a side road until she was virtually at the coach station. I then drove round parked, collected my sister and left. My first visit was timed at 4 minutes, the 2nd at 24 minutes. My appeal explained that I didn’t try to over stay fraudulently, my entire stay from 1st entry to final exit was 29 minutes in total. I explained all of the above and asked nicely for them to re consider as it was a genuine error. I can’t remember how clear the sign was but I know it was definitely in big writing about the 30 minute time limit but I didn’t see the bit about re entry. They’ve said my fine still stands and I’d need to appeal to the independent appeals service. Any advice on what to do. I just feel that they are not looking at my individual experience and explanation and they got me on a technicality. If I’d stayed for 30 mins, left and come back for another 30 mins I’d understand but 4 minutes while I made a phone call and left so as not to over stay seems really unfair. Thanks and sorry if I’ve rambled!! 

Gr1pr

jo2975 said:

Hi, I’m new here to asking for help. 

I was picking my sister up from Digneth coach station in Birmingham and the car park is owned by Euro Car Parks.They’ve issued a fine for £60 at the moment if I pay quickly.

I appealed because it was a fine for a ‘no return’ but as I explained to them this is why. I entered the car park and saw the signage stating 30 minutes time limit.

I called my sister on the coach and she was still far enough away that she could get caught in traffic around Birmingham so I left the car park, parked on a side road until she was virtually at the coach station. I then drove round parked, collected my sister and left.

My first visit was timed at 4 minutes, the 2nd at 24 minutes. My appeal explained that I didn’t try to over stay fraudulently, my entire stay from 1st entry to final exit was 29 minutes in total. I explained all of the above and asked nicely for them to re consider as it was a genuine error. I can’t remember how clear the sign was but I know it was definitely in big writing about the 30 minute time limit but I didn’t see the bit about re entry.

They’ve said my fine still stands and I’d need to appeal to the independent appeals service. Any advice on what to do.

I just feel that they are not looking at my individual experience and explanation and they got me on a technicality. If I’d stayed for 30 mins, left and come back for another 30 mins I’d understand but 4 minutes while I made a phone call and left so as not to over stay seems really unfair.

Thanks and sorry if I’ve rambled!! 

Definitely not a fine,  just an invoice from ECP for the alleged breach of the parking contract on that private property 

Chances are they issued a  £100 Parking Charge Notice,  reduced to £60 for early settlement 

ECP dont own the car park, they are a sub contractor working on behalf of the landlord or landowner 

Pist a redacted picture of the parking charge notice so we can see the alleged contravention on it

Presumably they rejected the appeal and gave you a popla code   ?

They definitely dont care about the circumstances etc, just obtaining your money to increase their profits

Coupon-mad

This is a 'double dip' case caused by ANPR system failure.

Just COMPLAIN (not appeal - see their complaints procedure) pointing out that the first entry wasn't a parking event at all and the two visits have been taken as if they were one long stay. Insist their DPO locates the 'orphan images' and cancels the PCN or you'll report them to your MP and the DVLA. 

Are you sure this is Euro Car Parks?

Not Euro Parking Services? 

Gr1pr

Agreed,  I think that its Euro Parking Services,  Digbeth coach station in Birmingham, (  not ECP and not Digneth coach station in Birmingham  either  )

jo2975

Hi, yes it’s a fine from Euro Parking Services. I appealed and it was upheld. They said I could appeal via the Independent Appeal Service which I have done. I sent pictures of the first two signs a motorist would see that very clearly show a 30 minute max stay. One does say see information board for further rules. However my argument was that if both rules, max stay & no return in 1hour, are equally important and enforceable shouldn’t the signage show both with equal prominence. They submitted their reply which is basically the same photos that I submitted. I’ve got the option to send the appeal to the arbitrator who will decide or I can submit more evidence. I have no more evidence and all I really want is someone with some common sense to look at it and understand I was actually trying to do the right thing. The 30 minute max stay was the only rule clearly displayed without having to get out of your car and read the smaller sign that shows the no return rule. What should I do and is there any wording I could use? Has anyone any advice on what the arbitrator’s are like? Do they way things up or will they just say that’s the rule and too bad? I would have been better off driving to Heathrow and collecting my sister from there at this point!!!!

jo2975

These are the 3 signs in the car park

jo2975

This is the first sign you see

Coupon-mad

I’ve got the option to send the appeal to the arbitrator who will decide or I can submit more evidence. I have no more evidence and all I really want is someone with some common sense to look at it...

Well - just so you know - you won't get that from the IAS, LOL!

They are owned by Will Hurley, same stable as the IPC. They don't have fair or impartial 'adjudicators' - you realise that they only accept consumer appeals in FOUR PER CENT of decided cases?!

Let it go to the joke 'arbitration'. It is a farce. Expect to lose.

Totally ignore that - NO PAYING - but assuming you 'lose' do show us the IAS decision when you get it AND show it to the Government in your response to the Public Consultation as they are asking questions about the IAS right now.

See the bespoke thread about this vital Government Consultation, linked in this reply explaining it:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81552148/#Comment_81552148