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It is my first time to receive PCN and I’d like to see people’s views on whether to challenge it or not. I drove to a library in nearby council first time to attend a baby class. I parked in an EV bay charging and I didn’t see the sign above says parking charge also applies while charging. I couldn’t as my baby had panic crying when being left in the car while I am plugging to charge. I have to take him out quickly to comfort him. I was very stressful and walked away in a hurry to attend his class but only to find out his class was cancelled without me being notified. I have to stay in the library to feed my baby and couldn’t walk back to check the parking regulations. When I am back after 1.5 hour a PCN ticket was put on my car. I am very unhappy as I wouldn’t knowingly ignore the parking charges if I know it is also applied on top of the EV charger. I made an informal challenge and was rejected for the reason that the sign is clearly displayed and even I left in a hurry and stress I can pay via RingGo app or plan in advance. I found it is inconsiderable as I don’t have hands to feed baby while playing on mobile to pay. I am also new to the area that I have no idea of the parking app that I can buy ticket in advance. The parking sign also says during busy period find a parking space before buy a ticket. I don't think it is fair to say I can pay in advance. I was charging from 09:59 to 11:44 and the ticket is observed from 11:11 to 11:29.

Is it possible to challenge under Equality Act 2010 that the ticket is issued lack of consideration. I am thinking to challenge due to the late cancellation of my class that I was unable to leave my baby to walk back to check the car parking charges on EV bay.

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Thank you for looking at it for me. I was looking after newborn less than 26 weeks old. Just wondering if it is worth going to the formal challenge or I shall pay for it? I have no idea to judge how strong or weak this will be.

OP, your informal reps don't refer to feeding your baby, instead they give the following timeline:

You started charging at 9.59;
Your class started at 10am;
The class was scheduled to last from 10am to 11.30am;
But the class was cancelled;(from your first post, not the reps)
The PCN was issued at 11.29, 90 minutes after you parked;
During this period we don't know what you were doing, but do know that you could not have been feeding your child for this period.

IMO, as regards the contravention you do not have a defence and the Equality Act has no bearing on this case at 11.29am.

I think we would need to look elsewhere for a defence.

I don't have any defence other than mitigation. All I can say is that I wouldn't knowingly ignore the car parking charge if I knew there was car parking charge on top of the EV charger. I was in a hurry to look around and check it. I also thought the EV charger is inclusive of the car parking.

I was driving my husband's car. He is the registered owner. I couldn't upload all photos in the first post as the sizes. So I just upload some photos for the signs here. I did not intentionally ignore the car parking charges if I knew it.

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Apologies that I did not quite catch your last message. Do you mean there is a conflict between the EV bay sign and their Ts and Cs which I can challenge? Or you mean the signs are clear that I have no ground to challenge? Thanks.

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I see thank you for looking into it for me!

@cp8759 Thanks! I can't see a premium-rate number at back of the PCN and I tried the link of of this case "Paul Bateman v Derbyshire County Council (DJ00037-2209, 10 November 2022)." that I can't open it. Reattaching the PCN ticket and signs.







I find the parking places order on Test Valley borough council website here Parking Places Order
Thanks!