Civil Enforcement Letter Before Action

redgolfgirl

Hi

My vehicle was parked in a hotel car park while the driver used their bar.

I received a 'reminder before further action' letter but no initial PCN; the breach was 'permit holders only'.

After the 'reminder before further action' letter was received, I went to the car park to check the signage, but the cameras and all signage had been removed.

I spoke to the hotel manager who confirmed the driver used the bar, but he said there was nothing he could do to cancel the ticket as all the equipment had been removed as there had been so many problems with Civil Enforcement issuing tickets. I took no action at that point (but probably should have done). I believe there was a machine/screen to enter registration number at the bar but don't know whether this was done either at all, or correctly.

I have now received a 'letter before action - claim for debt', and the debt that Civil Enforcement are chasing has gone up from £100 from the 'reminder before further action' letter to £170.

I have read the newbies post, and plan to fight this in court (if it comes to that), but I'm just wondering if there's any special/specific information I should be aware of with regards to not being able to check signage and the fact that the hotel manager confirmed he would but couldn't cancel the PCN due to cancellation of Civil Enforcement's services.

Many thanks in advance, redgolfgirl

Coupon-mad

You'll be fine!

CEL do issue claims, so keep your address updated if you move house, that's all. You'll never have to pay the invoice.

They discontinue defended claims before hearings and their signage won't have been clear. It is always awful!

I've just posted an example with photo evidence here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82162642#Comment_82162642

Where was your hotel?

Maybe you can find the signs on GSV?

Show us.

redgolfgirl

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82162647#Comment_82162647

Thank you, Coupon-mad.
I've had a look on GSV and can't see any signs on there, either. The hotel is Avenue Hotel in Grantham (NG31 6TH). The car park is around the back of the hotel, accessed via Grove End Road which is off Avenue Road.

redgolfgirl

No parking enforcement signs, I meant. There are clear Avenue Hotel Car Park signs at the front of the hotel, and at rear, directing customers to the car park. These signs same signs are the only ones that were there when I went to take photos.

redgolfgirl

I just found the photos I took on 11 August, after the 'reminder before further action' letter arrived. Posts where presumably the parking enforcement notices/cameras were displayed/positioned were still in place, although signage/cameras removed.