PCN from Euro Car Parks

System

This discussion was created from comments split from: MSE Parking Ticket Appeals Guide feedback.

PleaseHelp03

Hi all, hoping for some advice on a PCN from Euro Car Parks at Cornmarket Derby. Please let me know if this is the incorrect thread to ask.

We entered at 14:38:46 on 14/02/2026 (Valentine's Day evening, Derby County vs Swansea fixture, busy city centre), found a space, and paid £6.60 via PayByPhone at 14:46:33 covering 3 hours. We exited at 17:49:32.

ECP issued a PCN for no valid Pay by Phone transaction. We appealed pointing out we did pay and the timing gaps were reasonable. ECP rejected without engaging with either point.

The 10 minute 46 second total discrepancy is actually two separate gaps: 7 mins 47 secs between entry and payment, and 2 mins 59 secs between session expiry and exit. We believe both are covered by BPA/IPC Code protections separately. Even combined, the total only exceeds the mandatory 10 minute grace period by 46 seconds.

We also believe ECP changed the basis of the charge after we proved payment had been made, shifting from non-payment to a timing argument.

Is this worth taking to POPLA? Any awareness of relevant recent decisions involving ECP or grace period cases would be really appreciated.

Nellymoser

@PleaseHelp03 Yes you're in the wrong thread. Create your own, use Create new button or red circle+ if on a phone. Copy/paste your post above in to get help.

MSE_Stephen

@PleaseHelp03 We've split this into a new thread for you.

Coupon-mad

Yes you could give it a go at POPLA but (due to the self-serving Joint Code being written to ensure lots of PCNs can be issued) you can't argue that a consideration period and a grace period can be added together.

You could argue that way (in future) once the statutory CoP comes in because the Govt didn't buy the sector's bleatings that people who stay on site should have the consideration period wiped and be bound from the unknown earlier time they entered!

Or you could totally ignore it and let them use DCB Legal to file a small claim.

Doing a defence is ten times easier than trying POPLA (honestly) and ECP cases are always discontinued. They give up!