THREE PARKING TICKETS

[SerenaBeans]

We have a blue badge, and have signed it up with the NCP parking company. It's logged in with our number plate- but the one time we come back late at night with a small child, the blue badge holder was accidentally left closed- but you can see its a disability badge from the big disabled logo on the front. It's a station carpark about 10 minutes from our house as our road refuses to give council tenants parking, only private tenants.. fair enough.

But now we owe 300 pounds all because it was left closed for one day, despite us already sending images, signing up our badge and car over a month before hand.

The other ticket comes from the hospital (NHS) where we parked in a blue badge spot but the camera automatically couldn't see the badge... so we owe another 100 pounds.
We don't feel safe leaving the car ANYWHERE now.

AIBU to appeal this and possibly take it to court? Everyone in the car, child included- is disabled.

Car parking companies are not usually known for their leniency.

My ticket curled up in the sun so got a ticket. I challenged it as I had a valid ticket but they refused the appeal as it wasn't correctly displayed. In another area my ticket had slipped off but they let me off just this once as I could show a valid ticket. So worth asking but it may be a no ...

I would get in the habit of always taking a pic on your phone showing your badge being displayed- that would reduce risk of you making a mistake and ensure you have proof.

Thankyou all for the input. It's greatly valued.

I do realise we are wrong in the first 2 cases, but it was a very honest mistake, very late at night when we were all too tired to realise.
The BB is DHs and so is the car and both are registered so I'm hoping the NCP feel nice and let us off- but if we did it again that would be entirely fair and we would have to pay.

The hospital IS in the wrong though, which we will keep appealing of they reject our initial appeal.

@Onlyhadonejob
It's fair enough we didn't display it in the end, but like you in a way it was an accident :( I feel very silly

Will try appealing and see. If not... hey ho

@Squirrelsnut Thankyou for the hope :,) you've got some real luck there!

You've nothing to lose by appealing. It won't be £100/ticket, it will be reduced if you pay within 14 days of the date it was issued - it should say this in the letter. The clock will stop when you put an appeal in. The hospital one will almost certainly be ok - you won't be the first or last.
In future take a photo of the badge in place.

@Cookerhood
Thankyou for the vote of confidence. We will appeal anyway- just incase we can be let off. Do feel very silly though. :(

If a ticket was not left on the car but sent later do be aware that to be enforceable the ticket must arrive within 14 days of the infringement,

Schedule 4 of POFA 2012 creates the current legal basis to claim unpaid parking charges from vehicle keepers and hirers, should they not receive details of who was driving. POFA notices must be sent within 14 days from the date of the contravention.

POFA is the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012. I won two cases at court [no need to do that] against NCP who sent the notice after 2 months. I tried to get the court to order that NCP should contact all people who ahd been ticketed late and who ahd paid up. Did not work sadly

@SerenaBeans

They’re not legally allowed to fine you or charge you more than a reasonable amount beyond the cost to them of you not following the rules. In this case that’s £0 plus a reasonable amount which £100 is not. Local paper, MP and dig your heels in as this is a disgusting way to be treated.

@SerenaBeans this bit of legislation is worth noting (taken from which.co.uk)

The car park operator can pursue you for a parking charge for contravening any rules it has displayed on signs in its car park.
But the charge should be proportionate to the normal advertised costs of parking or to the losses caused to the company by you overstaying in the parking space.
If the amount charged is more than the landowner’s loss, this could mean the penalty charge is unenforceable.
Signs and notices must also be clear and obviously displayed.
If you’re issued with a parking ticket in a private car park and you weren’t made aware of a particular restriction, you can appeal.
If you think the charge is unfair or have a mitigating reason for refusing to pay it - such as ill health or vehicle breakdown - you can contact the operator or landowner to explain why you’re refusing to pay.

Therefore if I was you I would explain the circumstances and that you acknowledge on this one occasion you hadnt displayed the bb correctly, however as they have your car on the records as a bb badge holder and the fact you have used this car park numerous times that the fine is disproportionate to their loss of earnings. I have used this legislation many times before contactless when I didn't have enough cash (should probably not admit that 😅) and always send a cheque "as a goodwill offer" to cover the cost of the car park space. In your case a days worth of parking.

Definitely worth appealing as others have said

@Babynumberthreeee
Thankyou, I'll pass this chunk of info to DH as he knows far more than I do.

He wants to appeal :,)

@DonnaBanana
I don't think it's fair either.. but then again if we really broke the rules I would think its just unfair laws rather than us being criminals. It was a one off mistake.

If push comes to shove DH might take it higher.
Thankyou for your kind words.

Go on Facebook. Join the group "appeal your private parking ticket" . Post there for advice. A guy on there called Tony Taylor will appeal it for you at the cost of £15 a ticket. He has a 90% success rate. If it is a europarks ticket he guarantees success or he will pay your ticket for you.

Do not appeal without advice.

@Thelittleweasel that is really interesting!

The reason I thought we had a case to appeal is because they are aware that the owner has a BB and no one else uses the vehicle. They have a full scan of licence, plate and badge so I thought we wouldn't get ticketed at all.

I do hope we win the appeal, and I'm glad you won yours.

Fight your private parking ticket. This is the group you want. Got the name wrong before.

I have a blue badge. Conditions of use stipulate it has to be displayed clearly. You didn't do that so you're at fault. You can ask them to cancel the ticket as a goodwill gesture but they're under no obligation to and you have no recourse whatsoever.

The hospital one - presumably you've been provided with photographs of your car and thus should be able to point out to them where your badge is displayed.

@Plankingplanks
Thank you so much, will pass to DH.

Could you tell me what that email is on the left there? It's slightly cropped out. Thankyou again! :)

COPIED AND PASTED: To date I have won 9,598 appeals, with just 727 losses. updated 21/11/23. If you require my service there is a small charge of £15.00. Contact me at [email protected] If you don't want the stress of appealing yourself and you would like me to take care of your appeal. Please read the reviews on this link www.facebook.com/groups/963793293759708

I have used him myself for myself and my son.

@StrictlyComeSnoozing
We are hoping we are let off in the first 2 cases.

With the hospital it was a camera on the post that just caught our no. Plate as we left. It wasnt a ticket enforcer at all. I think its a bit odd but we will contest anyway :>

@Plankingplanks
Thankyou so so so much!

I should warn you, it feels like a scam, you fill in the forms he emails you, pay him the money by PayPal and hear nothing for ages.... He doesn't do updates, he will just let you know when he has the outcome.

I was really worried the first time but it works out fine.

I've appleaed this and if it's the ffirst time they'll let it go

Definitely appeal.

This is not a council car park, therefore it's not a fine. It's a private company. I've had over 100 private parking tickets and have never paid one. Theyve never taken it further. But I understand most people dont want that stress. I've helped people fight them and theyve never had it taken further either. I'd email them a photo of your bagel and see what happens. Dont sweat it.