Gladstones LBC letter

nonchalantmonk

Hello, I have been reading through all of the threads and I am still stuck on what to do with my situation. My worry is that I was sent the letter on 29th October and because I am at university I didn't see this letter until just over a week ago and I now only have until Friday to sort this.

I parked by my university sports centre on the side of the road, I will attach the images to show where I parked and also google maps images so you have a wider view. I left my car there for a few days because the road signs were unclear and as it is very close to where I live I would see cars parked there all the time, some for long stays and even some left overnight with no tickets ever on any of these cars.

When I left my car there, I came back to two tickets on my car. I paid these off to prevent it getting anymore expensive for me. A few months later I get a letter in the post which claimed I had not paid a ticket and I believe that it is a third ticket. I ignored this because frankly I paid two tickets and it had already risen to the higher price so I was frustrated. 

I recently received a letter before claim from gladstones solicitors on behalf of openparking who I presume is also on behalf of my university as they I believe are the landowner.
I have contacted people high up at my university to see if they can help me do anything with this and assist in getting this ticket cancelled and I am waiting for responses from some different people.

I can't be sure they will be able to do anything to help and I was wondering if someone could help me understand what I need to do next. Like I said at the start I have read a lot of the information on the forum, especially the 'Newbies' section but I am confused and not sure what to do. 

The charge is now £130 up from £60 or £30 if paid in 30 days. 

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks


On the left hand side is where I left my car as you can see in the first image.

Gr1pr

Post a properly redacted picture of the Gladstones letter

nonchalantmonk

Sorry about that

Gr1pr

Study the 2nd post in the newbies sticky thread in announcements near the top of the forum,  especially the LoC section 

nonchalantmonk

I have done that but I will go over it again to see if I can get a better understanding of what to do, thank you

Gr1pr

Use the response template to Gladstones 

Then await a Money Claim N1SDT pack from the CNBC in Northampton using MCOL 

Coupon-mad

"I now only have until Friday to sort this."

No, you really don't!  

@nonchalantmonk

Why on earth are you jumping to believe and try to meet their pointless threat deadlines? The sky won't fall in if you reply next week, or not at all. You can just do nothing. I would.

Perfectly safe at this stage but:

When you get a claim form DO NOT IGNORE THAT - just use the Template Defence. It is easier than any appeal and it'll be the best part of a year before the case reaches a hearing, if it ever does. That image is not a claim form so this isn't even a defence stage.

Not all solicitor LBC threatograms end up with a court claim. You can either ignore that letter, or reply as per the usual response in the usual sticky thread (post 2 of it).

You must tell whoever is at the main home address to open your post weekly at least. Daily, ideally. Just in case a Claim Form comes. But for goodness sake if it's a parent they won't panic and pay it will they? Make sure they fully understand what to look out for and NOT TO PAY EVEN IF IT IS A CLAIM.

nonchalantmonk

okay thank you for the help, I will get parents to open post more regularly moving forward.
I am going to send the email to them now.
Do you think that I will be able to defend this for sure, I believe I can but I just want to get that last opinion that this will be fine and I won't have to pay like £300+ when it comes to it.

Thanks again to the both of you who have commented.

Car1980

There is demarcation between the roadway and parking areas, so I don't see how you have breached the terms. The roadway appears to be the paler brick, where you didn't park. The onus is also on them to make restrictions clear. Why no line markings for starters?

A shame you paid the original two. I would go on the offensive and email Gladstones and the parking company a letter before claim for £120 (assuming that's what you paid) for the the original two tickets as you have re-examined the contract and determined you did not breach it, want refunding AND that in the event of a court claim for ticket reference number 3 you will counterclaim for £120 + costs.

nonchalantmonk

I do feel that way myself. I was reluctant to pay but just didn't realise I had the options like I do now. 

It is part of the reason I parked there so thanks for the advice @Car1980. I will look into claiming back my money