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Original poster

Parking Notice Charge for parking in a Hospital car park.

45 replies

Sixmonthcruise · 14/02/2022 11:19

I currently have a few health issues and have some hospital appointments atm.
I had a blood test last week and have just had a parking charge notice from a company called CPP who obviously manage the car park for the hospital.
I don’t understand why I have received it.
When you arrive at the car park a barrier goes up and let’s you in (obviously it then takes a pic of your car registration plate), when you are ready to come out you go to the machine and enter your reg, it shows you a pic of your car and you pay, then upon exiting you drive up to a barrier and it lets you out.
I always pay when I park and did so on this occasion. Stupidly never get a receipt but I have never had any issues before.
I have no idea why I should have a fine for £70 for a parking fee I paid for.
I have emailed PALS and tried ringing the parking company but can’t get through.
How the heck do I prove I paid without a receipt?
I can’t afford the fine and don’t see why I should pay as I paid my parking fee in good faith.

OP posts:
Herja · 14/02/2022 11:21

Did you pay by card? You could use that as proof of payment if so.

abbs1 · 14/02/2022 11:23

Did you pay for the parking with a debit or credit card that can show the date and amount paid? Or is there CCTV of the machine you paid at that can show you paying?

I didnt think the barriers on these types of car parks opened to let you out unless you'd paid for the parking.

I hope you get it sorted. Ive spent a lot of time in hospital recently but its an open car park with machines (no barriers) or you can pay online using parking eye so i use that to proof payment.

Seeline · 14/02/2022 11:28

Does it actually say you didn't pay? Fines can be for other things. Are there certain areas where you can/can't park? eg did you park in a staff area or similar?

Are you sure you were completely within the marked parking bay?

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Driving & parking
Lucia574 · 14/02/2022 11:36

I didn’t think it would let you out if you hadn’t paid. Certain you weren’t in a staff or disabled space?

JuergenSchwarzwald · 14/02/2022 11:40

What does the notice say - does it have a photo of the car where it shouldn't be?

If not, I'd write back (just a note on the actual notice) saying you paid and the barrier let you in and out, so you dispute that you owe them anything and you'll see them in court. I suspect they'll leave you alone - or send evidence of your supposed offence.

LIZS · 14/02/2022 11:40

How long did it take you to get from the pay machine to the exit barrier? Were you parked within the white lines in a designated space?

ThoseFestiveLights · 14/02/2022 11:42

If it’s a separate company PALS won’t help as it will be nothing to do with the hospital. Contact the company direct - there must be telephone numbers on the letter?

Original poster
Sixmonthcruise · 14/02/2022 11:56

I parked complete within the space.
I just checked and luckily I did pay that one with my debit card so do have that as a payment receipt.
I can’t see anything on there that shows why I would have this charge notice.
I try calling the company but it keeps ringing. I will keep trying throughout today. Just so annoying when I was there for a genuine reason and paid my fee.

Parking Notice Charge for parking in a Hospital car park.
OP posts:
WiseUpJanetWeiss · 14/02/2022 12:07

Is that it? No other pages?

Itsmeandhim · 14/02/2022 12:11

Check if there is an email you can send to.
Most of these companies don't answer the phone. (I wonder why)

SleepyJackson · 14/02/2022 12:14

The Money Saving Expert forum has loads of great advice on this. It includes step by step guides about what to do and letter/email templates for you to use at each stage.

ThelmaDinkley · 14/02/2022 12:16

There should be an appeals procedure info. It may be overleaf. There should be an address, email address etc. the charge gets put on hold whilst you do this. It’s usually 14 days. Good luck.

Original poster
Sixmonthcruise · 14/02/2022 12:45

The reverse is all the info about Protection of Freedoms Act etc. There is an address for appeals, I will have to write to them.

OP posts:
princesspopppy · 14/02/2022 12:50

Write your appeal and provide your evidence, highly likely they'll find in your favour.

I got a ticket in a hospital car park a few years ago, appealed and the company had to replace all their signs as they were misleading etc. Sure these companies rely on hitting someone who doesn't have the time or energy to appeal it.

LethargeMarg · 14/02/2022 12:56

Can you ring the hospital as usually there are staff who deal with parking (eg come out if barrier stops working) and see if they know of a reason? I've once been fined parking at a health centre as I'd parked in a staff only space but the sign was bent and not visible so I didn't know till I got the fine

doradoo · 14/02/2022 12:57

That's a terrible notice OP, apparently the fine was issued in the future - 11/3/22.....

CoffeeLover99 · 14/02/2022 13:01

I'm going to save you a lot of trouble

Pay the £35 fine. Even if you're in the right, it's not worth the hassle.

Before you know it, it'll go to the full £70, then £200+, then you'll have threatening letters reg court, etc...

Trust me, you're better off paying the fine first/now, then complaining to the company.

Hoppinggreen · 14/02/2022 13:03

@doradoo

That's a terrible notice OP, apparently the fine was issued in the future - 11/3/22.....
It says 11/2
balalake · 14/02/2022 13:04

A common, consistent and fair process for parking, without the need for multiple parking apps, nor bundles of change, would be welcomed by many.

Politicians please note. I think in Wales they have had no hospital car park charges for a few years.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 14/02/2022 13:08

Could you have entered your reg number wrong? Just transposed a number or ltter?

princesspopppy · 14/02/2022 13:18

@CoffeeLover99 that's not true. Obviously op should check the complaints procedure of this company but most of them allow you to pay the reduced rate (if the appeal doesn't go your way) as long as you appeal within the 14 days.

SpamIAm · 14/02/2022 13:45

Ugh as if most people don't have enough stress going on when they've had need to visit a hospital. Odd that it doesn't say why you've been issued it though OP, is there definitely no further information overleaf? You'll just have to appeal by whatever process is outlined on the letter.

@balalake it is indeed free in Wales. Doesn't stop them trying to fine everyone at the biggest hospital in Cardiff though 🙄

LIZS · 14/02/2022 13:52

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

Could you have entered your reg number wrong? Just transposed a number or ltter?
But unless it also happened to be there at same time the machine usually rejects a wrong number. It would also not have let op out.
AmbushedByCake · 14/02/2022 13:55

@CoffeeLover99

I'm going to save you a lot of trouble

Pay the £35 fine. Even if you're in the right, it's not worth the hassle.

Before you know it, it'll go to the full £70, then £200+, then you'll have threatening letters reg court, etc...

Trust me, you're better off paying the fine first/now, then complaining to the company.

This is crap advice (sorry). I've appealed two parking fines in the past - and both times it was kind of my own fault! - and both times the parking companies let me off. Anyway they suspend the 14 days during your appeal so a fine won't go up even if you lose.
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