OPS appeal rejected

vibealite

A couple of weeks ago I nipped into my local post office and forgot to put my badge in the window. I have been using this shop for years and forgot to do this many times but on this occasion I’ve had a parking charge £100. The shops recently been taken over by someone new and been refurbished which is why I’m guessing the recent fine after never having one before. I have appealed it on the basis that there’s no signage around the bays saying you have to display your badge it’s much further back and also the sign coming into the car park is facing the traffic coming in from the southly direction and not the north, the only other sign is on exiting the car park which is again faced away from the bay where I parked. The appeal rejection has told me to escalate to IAS but after reading this forum it seems thats pretty useless. Should I just wait it out now and see if they take me to court? 

Thanks
Michelle

vibealite

appeal letter 

vibealite

Rejection letter

Coupon-mad

Did you attach your Blue Badge to the appeal? That was the main first thing to do, not that OPS give a damn in my experience of them!

vibealite

No I didn’t because I consulted ChatGPT 😄when writing the appeal letter and it advised not not to attach the badge, as if I said here’s my badge sorry I forgot to put it in - I was admitting the error and the charge would still be applicable as I’d not displayed the badge which is what the charge is for - not not having a badge but not displaying one as per the sign - which admittedly I didn’t read as they’re further to the back of the car park. It was dark and wet and I was only 3 minutes in the shop. I have been back since and taken pictures and there is signs. But none by where I parked. 

Thanks Michelle 

vibealite

This is where I parked 

vibealite

These are the sign locations and there’s also one on the entrance but it’s facing the traffic coming in from the south not the north. 

vibealite

I have been reading the newbies forum and realise I shouldn’t have been so hasty to appeal and should have approached the shop owner first and asked if they would cancel the charge. Can they still do this even though I’ve appealed and it’s been rejected? 

Coupon-mad

Yes.         

vibealite

I have been into the shop today and got a telephone number for the landlord. The staff in the shop said loads of people have come in to say they’ve had fines so they have put up this sign now in the window.  Which obviously goes to show that there is an issue with unclear signage/visibility from the bay. I have sent a message to the landlord explaining the situation and sent him a copy of my badge. But he’s ignored me 😏 

Coupon-mad

Also it isn't a fine, of course.