Appeal advice for NTK received pls

MyMSEName

Hi

I've received a postal NTK from Euro Car Parks. After my car was parked at a multi storey, city centre car park previously operated by NCP.
The alleged contravention states: The vehicle was parked without a valid pay by phone transaction.

However, a ticket was purchased via a machine at the time, the details are as follows:

The driver did not see any signs stating that payment by phone was required. And had they done so, wouldn't have entered the car park because that payment method wouldn't have been possible.

This car park previously had a barrier and a ticket dispenser on entry. But at the time of the alleged contravention, the barrier had been removed, and the ticket dispenser was still in situ, but had been masking taped up with black bin bags!

The driver wasn't sure if this meant parking was temporarily free, and so parked the car, and left on foot. It wasn't till after walking around the side of the building, that they saw a Euro Car Parks 'low cost parking' sign. So, already rushing, and now panicking too, immediately went back in to the car park and purchased a ticket via the machine, thinking this was the correct way to pay.

Also, having not seen the parking rates, and thinking the correct fee had been paid, the driver returned after almost 2 1/2 hours and drove out of the car park.

The first I was aware an alleged contravention had taken place was on receiving the NTK.

Knowing that a ticket had been purchased (and kept), and that further proof of payment is available via a banking app. Forum advice states to 'gather evidence' by way of on site pics.

It is now evident that £4 had been paid for an hour's parking, and that the fee for parking for up to 3 hrs is £12!! A genuine mistake.

The pic's reveal that the taped up ticket dispenser has now been removed. And, also that there are 'vans only' parking bays to the right of, and slightly below the main entrance where signage is on the wall. And the driver remembers that at the time, these spaces were occupied by large transit type vans, and so it's likely this signage was obscured. There is other signage but it was not seen at the time.

Following further forum advice, I have emailed who I believe to be the landowner, in the hope of getting the PCN cancelled, offering to pay the deficit of £8. But they stated they do not manage the car park, and so are unable to help. And advised me to contact ECP.

I have read the 'Newbies' post and stickies etc, and have also used the 'Private Parking Ticket Checker' for advice, which has supplied a template. But given the intricacies of this case, I wanted to ask for human advice first on my next steps.

The Parking charge is for £100 is due within 28 days, or discounted to £60 if paid within 14 days, I'm currently still within both deadlines.

I've tried to keep the context brief, and have omitted some details, the car park name, place, company names etc. But if more info' is required pls let me know.

I also have pics, screenshots etc but don't know how to upload them if required.

Any appeal help/advice/input would be greatly appreciated.

Jame4ters

Please post a redacted copy of the NTK

Have a read of the “Newbies” thread

Also don’t pay either the £100 or the pretend £69 discount

Coupon-mad

The alleged contravention states: The vehicle was parked without a valid pay by phone transaction.

However, a ticket was purchased via a machine at the time.

You need to get pics of the sign and the machine. Who did the driver pay, according to their banking records?

MyMSEName

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82100152#Comment_82100152

E9FFF446-CA56-462F-92E1-B6D11A6803CB.jpeg

C90A3992-CF5E-42DB-8162-11C44EAFA412.jpeg

Hi, thanks for your reply. Pls see the attached the front and back of the redacted NTK (I have also redacted some of the print visible from the other side in case you're wondering)

I have read the 'Newbies' thread again, and I see I fell at the first hurdle didn't I!
I wasn't sure if the specifics made a difference, but clearly they do not.

Q - ''I have read the NEWBIES thread but cannot find anything specific to my case...my case is different''.

A - NO IT ISN'T. YOU DO NOT NEED SPECIFICS. FORGET THE DETAIL, MOST CASES ARE ALL THE SAME.

And I see by reading some of the 'Successful complaints' section, that my initial email, to who I believe to be the landowner, using a template from the Private Parking Ticket Checker, was more a request than a complaint.

And thanks, I won't be paying the 'bribes', as I've seen them referred to as such on here.

MyMSEName

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82100210#Comment_82100210

Hi Coupon-mad

I now have pic's of all signage on site, the entrance and the ticket machines. Also, the ticket/receipt for payment, and a screenshot of the in app bank transaction which was paid to, and received by Euro Car Parks.

Thanks for your reply.

Jame4ters

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82100599#Comment_82100599

You’ve redacted the date of the incident and the date the NTK was issued. Can you post those 2 dates please

MyMSEName

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82100665#Comment_82100665

Apologies, wasn't sure what to, and what not to redact.

The date of the incident/event was 25.7.26

The date issued was 31.7.26

Thanks

Coupon-mad

"I now have pic's of all signage on site, the entrance and the ticket machines. Also, the ticket/receipt for payment"

Show us those.

Did you read the CMA's update about Euro Car Parks last month? They are being investigated for possible unfair appeals practices which could breach consumer law.

MyMSEName

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82101232#Comment_82101232

These are most of the pics I have. Hope this helps.
Yes, I've seen an investigation into ECP's practices was opened in July, so will be interesting to see the outcome.

I also read that ECP were previously issued with an administrative penalty for non-compliance with a CMA Information Notice. It seems they're never far away from controversy.

As can be seen, the parking tariffs signage is not above the machines, it is on the next wall to the left of the machines.

Not sure if I should've redacted any more of the details on the ticket?

I will do my best to provide any further info' if required.

Thanks

Coupon-mad

Could be a machine keypad malfunction known as a 'keying error' (but it's rarely driver error). Is the VRM top right on the ticket, exactly correct and shown in full?

Can't see any UK GDPR warning sign about ANPR camera surveillance, nor how the images will be used? No sign re ECP's privacy policy. That makes it illegal surveillance.

MyMSEName

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82101647#Comment_82101647

Sorry Cm, not sure what you're referring to with regard to 'keying error'?

And I'm assuming by 'VRM' you're referring to the vehicle registration? In which case it is exactly correct, and in full at top right of ticket. Same goes for the NTK.

Interesting about the 'illegal surveillance' aspect. So if there is no specific UK GPDR signage at the entrance, would that render the surveillance illegal, and therefore the Parking Charge unenforceable?

There is mention of the ANPR at the bottom of a some of the signs, but not a separate UK GDPR one as such.

The use of cameras is also stated on the reverse of the NTK that I posted further up the thread. But obviously at that point it's too late. Because, as I've read, by law they are to be 'placed at all entry points before vehicles enter the surveillance zone'.

I googled UK GDPR warning sign, to see what they look like. And it's evident in the pic's that there are no specific ones on site, otherwise a pic would've been taken of it.

I have attached pic's that were taken closer to the signs so you can hopefully read the bottom section about ANPR (the acronym isn't used).

Thanks

p.s. the NTK 14 day discounted period ends 14.8.26. But going by previous advice, and other posts. I shouldn't be worrying about the coercion to pay, with regard to the timing of the appeal/complaint process?