Parking charges - to dispute or not?

[Butterflybelly]

I was a couple of mins from home. I had a call from a family member that was important to take. I pulled in to an open space car park to take the call. It’s a new car park. On the high street. If that makes sense. I couldn’t see any signs to say no sitting here. I took the call. It would seem I was there twenty minutes then drove off. Can I dispute this or should I pay the £100 parking fine. There’s loads of free parking space in the area. If I’d known I’d get charged I would have pulled in to a side street. I’m guessing my intentions make no difference. It seems very excessive to pay £100 when I stopped to take a call. I’m not sure whether to dispute?

I am guessing they will argue that you used the service provided ie you used the parking space even if you did not get out of your car.

If you went into a high rise carpark with ticket operated barriers you would have to pay.

I also got charged in similar circumstances, in my case I pulled into a car park as it was the only place to stop safely to pick DP up from the station (busy city centre station that has some pick up drop off, but it's horrendously crowded and you can't really wait there and his train was delayed).

I was there about 10-15 minutes, in half empty car park and didn't even get out of the car. I tried to fight it but got nowhere.

I can't believe that anyone would pay in those circumstances, and it never occurred to me to do so, but lesson learned and all that.

If you went into a high rise carpark with ticket operated barriers you would have to pay

Well you would, but you wouldn't use a car park like that to just stop somewhere for a few minutes. But I have heard of people going into multistoreys, driving round for 10/20 minutes, not finding a space and trying to leave, they expect payment .

You could try pleading for compassion in that it was an emergency call but I don't think you would get anywhere saying that you never left the car.

Who is the fine from - the council or a private parking company?

Doesn’t sound like you have grounds to appeal.

Since 2014 private companies can take you to court for non-payment, so appeal or pay, but whatever you do don’t ignore.

Private company

I appealed a situation where in the 5 mins I went to get change I got a ticket and they would not accept it. They said I should have had the change before I went in.

Sorry but I think you need to pay

You can appeal but you won't win. Honestly I'd just give them a call and offer £30 or something, they'll probably take it.

There's probably an option to pay £60 instead of £100 if you pay within 14 days. TBH, I'd take that, as there is little chance of getting out of it. These companies know exactly what they are doing.

However, you say it's a new car park and you didn't see any signs, so there's a small chance that the signs aren't up yet and if there is inadequate signage of the rules, that is grounds for appeal, so your one chance is to get down there (don't park in the car park without paying!) and look for signs explaining the rules and if there aren't any, take photos and try to appeal. However, its' a big risk, as appealing usually means you lose your chance to pay £60 instead of £100.

Try Moneysavingexpert for advice on whether it is worth appealing.

Oh if it’s a private company then post the details on pepipoo parking forum and you will get help to appeal. Definitely do appeal.

www.pepipoo.com/

Motorists are automatically treated like criminals now. I know you weren't shopping but no wonder our high streets are dying. There are people out there just waiting for us to put one wheel in the wrong place, stay half a minute over time, stray into an (unclear) bus lane, and they are ready to pounce with a fine.

Update folks. I appealed and they which I didn’t win then sent my appeal to POPLA and the parking agency did not wish to pursue it. Definitely always worth going through the appeals process. Thanks everyone for your guidance and support.