NEWBIE...Parking eye Newquay, charge over apparent grace period by 1 second! Refused appeal so POPLA

pattycake369

Hi everyone,

I recently visited Newquay and parked at the Atlantic Hotel Tennis Court car park. I paid for 2 hours of parking using the official payment app. However, I’ve received a Parking Charge Notice from ParkingEye claiming I over stayed. On the times shown in the charge it appears I exceeded the 10 minute grace period by just 1 second.

The app on site takes a few minutes to download, enter vehicle/payment details, and confirm the transaction — time which I believe should also reasonably count as part of my paid parking. The photo evidence relies on a camera timestamp, which could easily have been taken a second earlier, so it’s unclear whether I actually overstayed at all. 

I appealed directly to ParkingEye, but they refused to cancel it, stating I was over the time I payed for. I’m now considering taking this to POPLA. I want to make a strong case that:

• I am a genuine paying visitor.

• The overstay was unintentional and minimal.

• Charging for a 1-second overstay feels disproportionate, unfair and ridiculous really.

• Time spent using the payment app should be considered part of the paid parking period.

Has anyone successfully challenged a ParkingEye PCN for such a tiny overstay? Any advice on how best to word an appeal to POPLA to maximize my chances?

Thanks in advance for any tips!

DE_612183

appealing based on a "small" over-stay will not work - they will only consider if the PCN has been issued correctly - there is no mitigation or common sense.

The grace period is there for things like use of the parking app.

However all is not lost.

Check out the newbies thread - there will be good advise on there.

Just  make sure you do not in your appeal name who the driver was.

pattycake369

this is the photos they have and timestamps on entry and exit.

Gr1pr

The grace period is a minimum period, not a finite maximum,  it's de minimis, especially if payment was made,  so petty 

Study the popla decisions thread , starting at the end and work backwards,  looking for similar cases and adapt one of those cases based on the grace period in the BPA Code of Practice 

You wont be paying anyway 

Coupon-mad

pattycake369 said:

this is the photos they have and timestamps on entry and exit.

That's ludicrous scammery!

The two ANPR Cameras are not synched to ONE SECOND perfection and the 10 minute grace period is and always was a minimum (i.e. not a flat timeline: it has to be construed within a reasonable range).

You'll kill this at POPLA. I don't think Parking Eye will continue. They are testing you and hoping you aren't one of the 1% who try POPLA.

pattycake369

Thankyou all will try POPLA and see what happens! I can't help but think ParkingEye could of just altered the times/photos so I'm one second over, seems ridiculous really. Anyhow here we are.

Coupon-mad

pattycake369 said:

Thankyou all will try POPLA and see what happens! I can't help but think ParkingEye could of just altered the times/photos so I'm one second over, seems ridiculous really. Anyhow here we are.

I doubt anything is altered.

But ONE SECOND. What a scam PCN.

Now to action: This month, we need you. PLEASE bookmark this thread below and do Public Consultation if you haven't done it yet.

See this thread: -

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6617396/parking-code-of-practice-consultation-8-weeks-from-11th-july-2025/p1

We need every poster to come back & complete this vital Consultation before the deadline! Just 2 weeks left but please don't rush it. You can do some then save it and come back to it as you have time.

Whilst your answers must of course be your own, there are vital points to safeguard motorists interests to make, that many people may not think of without our guidance because we see cases every day and we know the legal background. However, people like you have lived & breathed the intimidation, greed and unfairness first hand so your voice is needed!

Coupon-mad

pattycake369 said:

Thankyou all will try POPLA and see what happens! I can't help but think ParkingEye could of just altered the times/photos so I'm one second over, seems ridiculous really. Anyhow here we are.

Did you do a POPLA appeal in time?

Did you manage to do the Consultation?

Deadline extended to next Friday: FIGHTBACK ALERT:

Please do the government's Public Consultation. We need every poster to complete this vital survey before the deadline next week. See this thread:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6617396/parking-code-of-practice-consultation-now-extended-closes-friday-26th-september/p1

We understand that you may need some pointers. It looks laborious, we get that. It doesn't matter; no knowledge is needed except re your own experiences so you can call out a scam industry and you'll protect millions of motorists and help change the law. 

I've written some guidance to help focus new posters on the issues. I've covered almost every question, providing ideas if you agree with our stance on things like DRFs, which we say must be banned.

Ordinary people like you are falling victim to this scam over 18 million times per annum. Motorists need your voice added please.

CLOSES ON FRIDAY 26th SEPTEMBER.