Civil Enforcement Ltd PCN in Free GP Car Park Appeal

Threefoxes

Hi all,

We unfortunately got caught out in a, unbeknownst to us at the time, locally known GP Car Park where lots of people have unfortunately been caught out (numerous Worcester News articles about it). This surgery now requires you to register your number plate on arrival inside the building.

The driver parked up in the GP car park to drop off a passenger for a scheduled referral appointment, whilst they remained in the car for the duration of the appointment. The practice manager is unwilling to help cancel the charge, and advises to appeal with the car park management company… helpful!

I've read the advice in the newbies thread to use the appeal template, but do I add a section that we were there for a genuine reason and that evidence can be provided (obviously not confirming who the driver was)? There are comments in the Google reviews of appeals being successful.

The letter is attached:

Any help to get this charge thrown out would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance :)

Coupon-mad

Yes try all that (it'll fail but DO NOT PAY) but raise a formal complaint in writing with the GP surgery. They signed the contract with CEL so cannot wash their hands of the fact their patients will be intimidated and sued in droves by CEL, who have form for this and won't accept any appeals. CEL were exposed by Yarm Medical Practice whose doctors went on Facebook crying with an apology to their patients having realised what they'd inflicted on them.

Put this in your formal complaint ^^^

Car1980

"The driver parked up in the GP car park to drop off a passenger for a scheduled referral appointment, whilst they remained in the car for the duration of the appointment."

Was the patient asked if they had registered the car? Are there signs at the entrance to the surgery?

I see CE state "permit holders only" and put "register on the iPad" in the small print. Obviously you are permitted by the very fact you have an appointment. You can't fail to have permission if they have invited you in.

It's almost as if they construct their signs with the intention of sending out as many charges as possible…

Threefoxes

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82009057#Comment_82009057

There was no mention of registering the car by the staff - if they asked the question, this would have definitely avoided this whole situation! We revisited the surgery to take photos and there is a large banner in the corner of the entrance. But, when we originally attended, the surgery was very busy and there was a large group of people exiting through this small entrance, which would have blocked the view.

You’re right that it’s been designed to catch as many people out as possible, even though I’m sure they’ll suggest otherwise. The reviews and numerous news articles of people being mistakingly caught out says it all…

We've reached out to the local councillors for the area… not holding my breath, but I really hope something comes out of it.

Coupon-mad

Send the complaint I suggested.

You'll never pay this scam invoice.

Umkomaas

My daughter (attending with my little granddaughter) last week has just been caught out by CEL at her local health clinic. Consultant was running 90 minutes behind schedule, daughter told to go to the clinic restaurant to have some lunch as consultant would need a lunch break herself before starting her later appointments. Eventually had her appointment over 2 hours late, and because of the complexities of my granddaughter’s various health conditions, her 30 minute appointment slot extended to 90 minutes! NtK arrived by post 48 hours later!

I laughed when the ‘aaargh, help’ phone call arrived! Anyway, Daddy Umkomaas to the rescue. Complaint letter to clinic top-knob drafted and sent, CEL cancellation letter 24 hours later. Plan A strikes again! Boom! 💥

Coupon-mad

Nicely done @Umkomaas 🤣

Can you show us the wording of the complaint letter in Successful Complaints About PPCs and how you found the clinic top banana please, as people are being fobbed off by supervisor types!

Umkomaas

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82009607#Comment_82009607

Head honcho details discovered via the Wirral Community Trust which seems to have general oversight of the clinic. The letter was polite and basically covered the sequence of events explaining how, through no fault of her own, complying with the terms of the contract and leaving the car park at the 3-hour point, would mean terminating the actual consultation midstream. Would just be a ridiculous situation, where the critical health issues of my granddaughter became subordinate to the imposition of CEL’s poxy regulations. PPCs shouldn’t be operating in the health service sector!

Actual letter of complaint contains too much personal detail to copy verbatim, and redactions would render it pretty unreadable. But, gist as above. I’ll get something into the Successful Complaints thread.