Advice needed regarding a parking ticket, aghhhhhh...

[breeze]

Just took a sick DS to the doctors. As I pulled up over the road I noticed that there was a space (very rare, normally parked miles away). Was in the doctors 20 minutes, came out to find I had a parking ticket. I did not notice that within the last few weeks they had painted a single line in, because they still had the white parking lines in (Hope you know what I mean, they are the ones just more then a cars width across).

On the ticket it stated that I was in voilation of code 01, and they wrong that the first time they saw me to the time I got the ticket was just 9 minutes, I am sure they wouldn't give me a ticket if not valid, but didn't see any signs saying no parking, the space was so tight I really didn't notice the newly painted yellow line, and with xmas coming up I am el-skinto as it is.

TIA

Bloody women drivers.... hmph.

Least I had my handbag with me

Can you take a photo of where the white lines are and contest it? Stress visiting the doctor with a very sick young child too, play up the emotional side.

I don't know how successful you'd be though I think sometimes it depends on your council - I know some that just don't like the paperwork and pretty much let any contested thing go, others who stick to their guns no matter what.

How utterly horrible. It's one thing to get a ticket after you just took a chance, another entirely when you believed you were validly parked

lol.. Touche!

What the hell are these people doing giving parking tickets near doctors? It's really wound me up and i don't even drive. Sue them sue the lot of them sue everyone!!!!!!

Its a hard one because if I pay within 14 days it goes from £60 to £30, I can not afford the £30 as it is, let alone an extra £30.

I am annoyed that there was no signs up saying whatever. Wonder if the gits are on comm for each ticket and after their xmas bonus.

It wouldn't surprise me breeze - I think a lot of them do get bonuses for how many tickets they write.

Once we lived in a residential area with parking machines and we hadn't got around to getting a parking permit. DH was five minutes (FIVE MINUTES FFS!) late in getting up one weekend to feed the machine and we got ticketed. The warden must have been standing their waiting for the damn clock to tick over just in case.

Very annoying, but my advise is to pay. You will have to pay eventually anyway I am sure. These people are totally ruthless and definatly, like you say, after their Christmas-bonus

Write to appeal describing the sad circumstances and why you made a mistake. THey can only say no but I've done it a couple of times and got refunds. They say they'll make an exception this time only (he he) but I'm still in the wrong. THe fine won't double while you are asking to be let off but make sure you send your letter registered or something so you can prove when it was posted.

Good advice Davros - I didn't realise that it wouldn't affect the "pay within 14 days" thing in those circumstances.

In that case, Breeze, go for it - nothing to lose.

Georgina - According to Gordon Ramsey on Room 101 last night you used to have 7mins after you ticket ran out.... and now it's 2mins!!! How ridiculous!

Breeze - I think you 'might' have a chance to have it scrapped as there were no signs indicating this and the original road markings were clearly more prominent!

Good luck

My dh contested a parking ticket and got it repealed. it doesn't work every time but is worth a go

M2T

Don't get me started on Gordon Ramsey - has NEVER changed a nappy and belittles women drivers! Grrrrr!

Could you not go back to where you parked, see if anyone has discarded a used ticket before they drove off and send this in the post to parking fines place saying it was your ticket and it must have dropped down onto your seat off the window so the parking ticket person didn't see it?
Very naughty I know but my friend has done this several times in large car parks - worked every time!

I know HMC.... what a prat!

Definitely appeal your case - really go on about your poor sick infant etc. Lots of parking tickets are withdrawn on appeal and you may be lucky.

Elena2, you didn't have to pay to park here usually, its one of those ones where you usually have 60 minutes. Remember that for the future though.

Funerals?

I seem to remember a story quite recently where a parking ticket was invalidated due to there being a conflict of lines on the road. Think it might be worth a try especially given the circumstances.

breeze - You could challenge the parking ticket but at the end of the day the sign was there and whether or not you saw it is irrelevant. If it was a private car park then you could try and defend your actions but if the ticket was given by a traffic warden then any challenging by yourself would be done in court as fixed penalty clerks do not have to listen to your pleas but simply deal with the evidence ie you shouldn't have parked there but you did! (harsh i know) However, if you are still found to be liable once having gone to court you would not only have to pay the fine but also the court costs too - very costly! I'd just pay it.

Thanks all. I have been back and there was NO sign saying you cant park there, these lines have only been done recently, I have spoken to fil who advised you cant have conflicting lines one saying you can park and one saying you can not. I have written a letter and will post it off today.

YOU GO GIRL!!!

Well done for sticking to your guns and good luck, you should print this off and send it with the letter. They can't disagree with this many