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Smart Parking ANPR parking fine

I just got a Parking Charge Notice through the post (Smart Parking) for £60. The carpark we parked in was 25p for every 15mins and my
5yo daughter suddenly needed to go to the toilet before we left which made us 10 mins late.. and thus over the time we had prepaid.

£60 fine for 10min overstay seems hugely disproportionate (moreso because my husband and I who normally work full time have just each spent a period of time on SSP due to illness :( ) but where do we stand? Pay up and shut up? :(
«1

Comments

  • Fruitcake
    Fruitcake Posts: 59,506 Forumite
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    edited 15 November 2018 at 3:57PM
    It is not a fine.

    Please read the sticky thread for NEWBIES then appeal using the template in blue you will find there in post 1, sent from The Keeper exactly as you find it.

    Not so Smart may give up when they see the forum template. If not, then you should get a PoPLA code that will enable you to make a second stage appeal.
    Do not reveal the driver's identity at any point, not even on here.

    Why ask if we think you should pay a bunch of scammers? This forum is dedicated to fighting unfair private parking charges.
    I married my cousin. I had to...
    I don't have a sister. :D
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  • Le_Kirk
    Le_Kirk Posts: 25,266 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    No, you appeal using the blue template you will find in the NEWBIE section on the front page of the Parking Tickets sub-forum, third post down. Send it as is, no changes or additions, being especially careful not to reveal who was driving, you appeal as KEEPER.


    If/when it is rejected, any further appeals will focus on Grace Periods. Look it up while you have time.
  • The_Deep
    The_Deep Posts: 16,830 Forumite
    This is an entirely unregulated industry which is scamming the public with inflated claims for minor breaches of alleged contracts for alleged parking offences, aided and abetted by a handful of low-rent solicitors.

    Parking Eye, CPM, Smart, and others have already been named and shamed in the House of Commons as have Gladstones Solicitors, and BW Legal, (these two law firms take hundreds of these cases to court each week, hospital car parks and residential complex tickets have been especially mentioned. They lose most of them, and have been reported to the regulatory authority by an M.P. for unprofessional conduct

    The problem has become so widespread that MPs have agreed to enact a Bill to regulate these scammers. It has even been suggested that some of these companies have links with organised crime.

    Watch the video of the Second Reading and committee stage in the House of Commons recently. MPs have a very low opinion of this industry.

    http://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/2f0384f2-eba5-4fff-ab07-cf24b6a22918?in=12:49:41

    https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2018-07-19/debates/2b90805c-bff8-4707-8bdc-b0bfae5a7ad5/Parking(CodeOfPractice)Bill(FirstSitting)

    and complain in the most robust terms to your MP. With a fair wind they will be out of business by in the not too distant future..
    You never know how far you can go until you go too far.
  • Thanks for the replies. It says at the bottom something about being enforceable due to a previous case being won. It also goes up to £100 within 14 days of the notice (dated 12th received today). Im just scared because in our situation we can't afford £60, let alone £100
  • Fruitcake
    Fruitcake Posts: 59,506 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Sianylou86 wrote: »
    Thanks for the replies. It says at the bottom something about being enforceable due to a previous case being won. It also goes up to £100 within 14 days of the notice (dated 12th received today). Im just scared because in our situation we can't afford £60, let alone £100

    Parking companies tell lies, and are a bunch of scamming bullies.

    We are nice people who help people like you to beat the bullies.

    None of what you have said changes anything. Follow the advice already given to you in posts 2 and 3 above.
    I married my cousin. I had to...
    I don't have a sister. :D
    All my screwdrivers are cordless.
    "You're Safety Is My Primary Concern Dear" - Laks
  • Redx
    Redx Posts: 38,084 Forumite
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    edited 3 December 2018 at 5:50PM
    doesnt matter what you can afford (or not), its an INVOICE and you either pay it or fight it

    assuming you wish to fight it, do what the above replies have told you to do, appeal it with the blue text template , AS KEEPER, following post #1 of the NEWBIES FAQ sticky thread

    BTW, the £100 typical charge for this invoice has been the same since 2012, so no point complaining about how much it is

    also, download and read the BPA CoP , January 2018 edition, read clause #13 about grace periods (there are two, one before parking and one after when the driver is leaving)
  • Well I sent the template letter off via their online appeals page and have heard nothing.. are they just buying time thinking I'll just pay up thinking I will soon have to pay the £100?!
  • Coupon-mad
    Coupon-mad Posts: 155,731 Forumite
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    No, what on earth made you think they'd reply in a week? They take a month or more.
    PRIVATE 'PCN'? DON'T PAY BUT DON'T IGNORE IT (except N.Ireland).
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    Home»Motoring»Parking Tickets Fines & Parking - read the NEWBIES THREAD
  • I expected a confirmation of receipt of appeal within 14 days as per BPA guidelines.
  • Redx
    Redx Posts: 38,084 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    you would hope so, but it isnt enforced, as its only a guideline


    perhaps this time next year when the new Private Parking CoP bill becomes law ?
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