Private PCN

vauxhallastraLV

Hi all, I need advice regarding a UK CPM Parking Charge Notice at Vista Centre, Hounslow. I was a visitor, paid for my parking in full and extended it three times, but was still issued with a £100 PCN for “parking outside a designated area”. The signage was unclear – the permit-only board was on the other side of the car park, not at the entrance or where I parked. There was a payment machine through which I paid.  I even asked the attendant on entry where he pointed me to that direction and once while extending the ticket time (that I parked my car there and can I extend time and he said it was fine, yet later I found out they had taken photos of my car instead of warning me. There was no clear instructions on where the visitors should park. I also emailed Vista Centre management but they refused to intervene, claiming signage is clear and posted a picture of the signage which I didn’t see before. I want to fight this as it feels unfair and misleading. I have appealed too but reading some threads they don’t actually accept it. Could someone guide me on next steps and how best to defend this?

jd576

First of all, read the Newbies thread a few times before you do ANYTHING else.

Appeals are a farce. Don't expect any joy.

They will harass you to pay up. You don't need to do anything until you receive a Letter Of/Before Claim, which you must reply to. At that point, post #2 of the NEWBIES thread will explain what you need to do

If you're willing to spend the time defending this, you have a very good chance of success - all it will cost you is your time and if you adhere to the process and file the required documents by the due date, you risk nothing more than having to pay the amount of the PCN + court charges in the worst possible outcome.

It would help to post copies of the PCN you've received, a copy of the appeal and the appeal response and some photos of the signage on the site (including the entrance where you say there's no signage, which is a material factor). Suitably redacted of course to remove names, reg numbers etc.

vauxhallastraLV

My appeal as follow 

“We had paid for parking in good faith and were not aware that the area used was restricted to permit holders only. The signage in the location was not positioned clearly in the immediate area and there was no signage or instruction at the entrance to direct visitors to the alternative zone.

In fact, the presence of a payment machine in that area gave the clear impression that parking was permitted upon payment. We used this machine and extended our parking session three times to ensure full compliance.

We also spoke to the parking attendant near the entrance. On two separate occasions – including when we first parked and later when we extended our stay – he did not advise us that we were in the wrong area or direct us to a different visitor zone. We reasonably relied on this, as well as the presence of the payment machine, to believe that our parking was valid.

It is also concerning that photographs were taken around xx, yet no one approached us or advised that we were in the wrong area, despite us remaining until xx and extending our session. This suggests that we were allowed to continue paying while enforcement action was being taken, which is both unfair and misleading.

For these reasons:

1. Payment was made in full for the duration of stay,
2. No clear signage or instruction was visible at the entrance or within the area parked,
3. The presence of a payment machine in that area reasonably indicated that parking was permitted,
4. The attendant failed to provide correct information when asked on two occasions, and
5. Enforcement staff observed the vehicle but took no steps to inform us, despite us continuing to pay for parking,

we submit that this Parking Charge has been unfairly issued. We respectfully request that the charge be cancelled.”

I have mailed the appropriate landlord. But they said can’t help and sent me more pictures that everything was appropriate. I really don’t want to pay because we are not at fault here. We parked opp to the tree with a blue sign since it mentioned blue badge and pay & display. Please advise what to do. I see everywhere people complaining about this place as a scam. They have clearly taken pictures within 10 minutes of our parking. I have added the pictures the management sent me. Please advise. 

vauxhallastraLV

vauxhallastraLV said:

Hi all, I need advice regarding a UK CPM Parking Charge Notice at Vista Centre, Hounslow. I was a visitor, paid for my parking in full and extended it three times, but was still issued with a £100 PCN for “parking outside a designated area”. The signage was unclear – the permit-only board was on the other side of the car park, not at the entrance or where I parked. There was a payment machine through which I paid.  I even asked the attendant on entry where he pointed me to that direction and once while extending the ticket time (that I parked my car there and can I extend time and he said it was fine, yet later I found out they had taken photos of my car instead of warning me. There was no clear instructions on where the visitors should park. I also emailed Vista Centre management but they refused to intervene, claiming signage is clear and posted a picture of the signage which I didn’t see before. I want to fight this as it feels unfair and misleading. I have appealed too but reading some threads they don’t actually accept it. Could someone guide me on next steps and how best to defend this?

Please advise

thanks in advance for your help. Attached photos here. From the landlord

Coupon-mad

Good evidence photos for if they try a small claim next year or whenever!

You don't have to appeal. Can just ignore it and await the claim form later on. Or you could try the farce of appeal and the IAS using those photos. Don't expect to win because the IAS is a kangaroo court owned by the same company/person as the IPC, but you don't actually ever have to pay this charge even if you lose at the joke 'appeal' stage!

Where were you parked in relation to those pics?

vauxhallastraLV

I parked exactly to the bay opposite to the tree. The same row as car in LG67 BXH in the picture. There was a sign but clearly placed in front of another side of the parking area so we thought it was for the bay opposite to our bay. Like the one in the picture. Do we have a chance here at all? I am ready to defend this in court. But first would like to understand whether we have a chance here. We think it is a scam because the picture was taken exactly 5 minutes after we left when we finished paid for parking and all. Like they waited for us to leave and they took the picture of our car. 

Coupon-mad

Yes these cases are very very winnable.

vauxhallastraLV

Thanks very much. But sorry to bother. Could you please explain how I have a chance here. So I can have an insight if it proceeds further.