PCM Parking fine Residental Area whilst unloading

TXF_17

Recieved a PCM parking fine via post for parking in a residential for "Parked within a restricted area."

Summarised my current situation with AI:

Summary of Events:

Operator: Parking Control Management (PCM) - IPC Member

Date of Event: 26th April 2025

PCN Reason: Parked in a restricted area (i.e., not in a marked bay).

The Situation: I stopped for less than a few minutes directly outside my own ground-floor property to help my disabled mother from the car to my front door, which is less than a metre away.

Evidence submitted by PCM:

• 15:44 - the front bumper of my vehcile with the headlights on at the edge of the photo as if the operative was attempting to hide the rest of the picture.
• 15:51 - a picture of my vehicle in a parked state from the front. There is a PCM sign at the edge but not clear. Could possibly be digitally enhanced. 
• 15:51 - a picture of the rear of my vehicle in a parked state. 
  
• 15:52 - a picture of a sign ~30 meters away.

My Core Defence / Key Points:

1. Major Signage Failure: This is the main issue.

   • In their initial rejection, PCM used a photo of a sign located ~30 metres away from my car as evidence.

   • In my IAS appeal, I proved this was the wrong sign. PCM admitted it was a different sign but argued it said "essentially the same thing" as the one I was near.

   • Their own wide-shot photo of my car does show a sign nearby, but the text is completely illegible in their picture.

   • PCM's "evidence" for the correct sign was just a stock image, not a clear, timestamped photo of the actual sign in situ on the day.

2. Unloading / Implied Licence: I was actively unloading a passenger to my property, not "parked". I believe I had an implied licence to do this, and because they can't prove the wording on the correct sign, they can't prove this right was removed.

3. Permit Holder: I am a resident and hold a valid, paid-for PCM permit to park in my designated bay (not where I was helping mum into my property), which was displayed at the time but they did not capture a picture of my windscreen showing this. This shows intention that I have no need to park infront of my home and I have paid for a bay to park in.

Process So Far:

• PCN via Post: Notice to Keeper was sent within the 14-day POFA period.

• Appeal to PCM: Rejected.

• Appeal to IAS: Lost. The adjudicator's decision was generic and completely ignored my specific, strong points about the signage failure.

• My Letter to PCM: After the IAS loss, I sent a formal letter to PCM invoking the Pre-Action Protocol, detailing my defence and stating I would not be paying. I have received no response from them.

The Charges:

Original PCN: £100 (discounted to £60).

After IAS Rejection: £100.

I have now recieved a Debt recovery letter for £170 stating they need to recover payment in full within 14 days. They are saying if I don't reply they will put a CCJ against me. Do I tell them to take me to court again? If I lose in court I am more than happy to pay the £100. 

Gr1pr

The debt collectors letters are powerless,  ignore them,  post 4 in the newbies sticky thread in announcements 

Debt recovery cannot and will not issue a court claim against you 

Look up the Jopson case 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81582717#Comment_81582717?utm_source=community-search&utm_medium=organic-search&utm_term=jopson

TXF_17

if it goes to court can I argue that I sent a pre - action protocal to PCM and I'm not accepting any charges above £100? Seems a bit unfair that they are continuing to add on extra charges

Gr1pr

Its not a defence,  just a statement 

The charge was, is , and always will be £100, doesn't matter what fictional extras they tack on, regularly thrown out in court,  they could try to add on £1000, but no judge would allow it

If a court claim is issued,  they can add on legal and court fees, at the capped rates, so a typical loss in court is about  £212 for a single pcn 

TXF_17

Interesting! I assumed it would have been £162 based on the fixed fee "up to £300" of £35, a £27 hearing fee, and the original £100. What are the fees comprised of?

Le_Kirk

They are allowed to claim £50 legal costs.

TXF_17

If I win - what costs am I allowed to claim for?

Le_Kirk

Normally a day's loss of work or leave backed up by a wage slip (maximum £95.00) or your bus/train fair plus car park fee if travelling by car.

Gr1pr

As above,  the following case got less ,  £70

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6625532/vcs-crash-and-burn-at-southampton-county-court-bristol-airport-case/p1

TXF_17

So for my situation, ignore debt collection. Expect to pay up to £212 in court fees if I lose. Any advice on winning my court case?

Coupon-mad

TXF_17 said:

So for my situation, ignore debt collection. Expect to pay up to £212 in court fees if I lose. Any advice on winning my court case?

Simply that we help 99% of people to win by using the easy Template Defence. In terms of facts and law, this is your main point, and you are covered by persuasive appeal authorities such as Jopson v Homeguard. You won't lose in court:

The Situation: I stopped for less than a few minutes directly outside my own ground-floor property to help my disabled mother from the car to my front door, which is less than a metre away.

Typical of this apparently 'bent' kangaroo court that it ignored an admittance that the sign picture was false. 

Please show us:

1. - the reply by PCM saying that the different sign was 'essentially the same thing'

2. - the IAS joke decision.

I want to use IAS decisions like this one (where you say that PCM provided a false sign and admitted it, yet the IAS accepted it) as evidence in my response to the MHCLG Public Consultation this week.

Please also do it! And just a reminder even though this is stressful: while your case is quiet, before the end of next week please please do the government's Public Consultation.

As I mentioned before, we need every poster to come back & complete this vital Consultation before the deadline.

See this thread: -

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6617396/parking-code-of-practice-consultation-8-weeks-from-11th-july-2025/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 on that thread. I have covered almost every question, providing ideas if you agree with our stance on things like DRFs, which we say must be banned.

You must also make sure you answer the question about what is wrong with the IAS.

Ordinary people like you are falling victim to this scam 15 million times per annum. Motorists need your voice added please.