Free Traffic Legal Advice
Live cases legal advice => Civil penalty charge notices (Councils, TFL and so on) => Topic started by: disgruntledparker on February 09, 2025, 08:26:13 pm
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The reviewed decision on paying to park is a strong ground in my view.
We've had several battles with councils on location codes when they can differ even in adjacent bays but with the same conditions. The Ringgo app presents a choice of nearby locations and if you're in a road that changes name along its course you can easily select the wrong one if you're aware of the main road name but not the other it also has at some point.
I recall helping a doctor in Islington who was sitting in her car when it was pouring with rain and she picked the code for the next bay to hers just a few feet away and Islington backed down essentially on the grounds of duty of fairness.
This is exactly what happened, the app provided the codes, so I selected thinking it was the correct one. I just want to know whether it was worth all that hassle, particularly when it is free for one hour. The recent reviewed decision is helpful, but Redbridge Council is an absolute pain. I just got back from Court today successfully won a private parking company from parking in 2019! I dont know if I can actually be bothered, as this took 1.5 years to finally got done with. Its the fact that I did have an active session, but they force you to use an app / ring up and got rid of all the pay&display machines which i used to use for the 1 hour free session.
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The reviewed decision on paying to park is a strong ground in my view.
We've had several battles with councils on location codes when they can differ even in adjacent bays but with the same conditions. The Ringgo app presents a choice of nearby locations and if you're in a road that changes name along its course you can easily select the wrong one if you're aware of the main road name but not the other it also has at some point.
I recall helping a doctor in Islington who was sitting in her car when it was pouring with rain and she picked the code for the next bay to hers just a few feet away and Islington backed down essentially on the grounds of duty of fairness.
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OP, thanks. As I don't use RingGo you'll have to explain what 'The area where I have parked is in very close proximity to two location codes' and 'Ringo app geo located me whilst I was still in the car, the description of the location which came up said "George lane" with location code and I selected that the location point.'
You open the app and then.....?
If it's as simple as the system gave you the wrong info and you did not need to do anything other than use system-generated data (in the form of a location code) and enter this with your parking requirements then I don't see how any error can attach to you. But your* next bite at the council apple is the NTO which is the last until adjudication. You want to be precise about the system's and the motorist's responsibilities.
*- are you the registered keeper with current DVLA data?
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What time did you speak to the CEO?
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Ringo app geo located me whilst I was still in the car, the description of the location which came up said "George lane" with location code and I selected that the location point. I didnt manually enter a code, or use recently used codes on the app, it was the nearby location tracking feature that I used. I did go back a few days later to see what codes come up and found that there were a number of different codes for George Lane, but only one George Lane appeared on the app the day I parked. Please let me know if this helps at all?
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I used the ringo app to obtain a parking ticket, I used the location settings on the app and selected the location code which came up on the app.
I now understand that the parking location on the ticket states "The Shrubberies" and when looking at the ringo session it appears I have made a mistake using the wrong location code. I have used the ringo app on several occasions on George Lane and did not realise that there were different location codes..
[Did Ringgo locate you or did you manually select a previous location?]
I used Ringo to locate me,
Can I try and put this in a simpler form, but pl amend if I'm wrong.
You parked, did not look at the traffic sign but remained in your car while you used the app.
This next point is still hazy. You either used an auto geographical feature and RingGo allocated the wrong location code or you input George Lane thinking this was where you were and RingGo logged this as your location. Which is it?
Unfortunately you weren't (at the location used) and where you were had a different location code.
You purchased parking rights for 1 hour at 12.59.
The PCN was issued at 13.04, obs having commenced at 13.02.
Parking at your location is free for up to 1 hour.
The alleged contravention description is: 'Parked without payment of the parking charge'
You left the location before 13.59.
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it would appear that part of George lane where it's a "dual carriageway" is George lane on northbound but the shrubberies southbound.
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I would go on with this. If their app geo-locates you, you are entitled to use that location, and then there's the silliness of being told you didn't pay for free parking.
Their rejection is just standard fob-off to get you to pay.
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Can we see the GSV link to the exact location, please.
I will upload link tomorrow when using a laptop.
The location is George Lane, South Woodford London
The houses on that road, have an address of The Shrubberies
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I used Ringo to locate me, I went to the supermarket to get some meat, came back saw the ticket, went to look for warden as didn't understand why I had got ticket. Presumably recorded on their little cctv device. He said my registration didn't come up on his device when he entered that location code. He entered the location code I used on the app my registration came up on his device.
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Did Ringgo locate you or did you manually select a previous location?
The case I cited depended on the adjudicator finding as fact that the driver had parked for less than one hour, so what were your movements after parking?
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Can we see the GSV link to the exact location, please.
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Ive attached the PCN, the reply from Redbridge and screenshot of ringo parking session
[attachment deleted by admin]
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I have screenshot from the ringo app for the one hour session, not sure if that helps at all?
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I see you've found the case where I've cited a very recent tribunal review.
Can you provide any evidence that you were parked and intended to park for 1 hour or less?
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Hi
I have only just come across this forum, but I wrote to the Council with the following:
I used the ringo app to obtain a parking ticket, I used the location settings on the app and selected the location code which came up on the app. I parked my car at 12.59 and a ticket was was issued at 13.02. I am really surprised the Parking Warden issued me a ticket given that I was in the car when using the ringo app for a couple of minutes. The parking warden would have seen me leaving the car when he observed the vehicle. I am really surprised that I have received a parking ticket, when I have used the ringo app to park the car for a 1 hour free parking period.
I now understand that the parking location on the ticket states "The Shrubberies" and when looking at the ringo session it appears I have made a mistake using the wrong location code. I have used the ringo app on several occasions on George Lane and did not realise that there were different location codes. The ringo app has always given me the correct code when parking. I have parked on Cleveland Road which is further down the high street and that uses the same location code as that of George Lane. However, I did not realise that "The Shrubberies" was the name of the road, given that the whole of the road is called George Lane. The area where I have parked is in very close proximity to two location codes. It was an innocent mistake to make and as this was a one hour free parking session, please can you make an exception to waive this penalty charge notice. I have always used the pay and display ticket machines before they were stopped and have since used the ringo app.
Redbridge have come back and said:
Your comments about the issue of the Penalty Charge Notice have been noted, but in the absence of a valid session in place at the time you were parked, this Notice remains valid. Please be advised that it remains the driver's responsibility to provide the correct location code before obtaining a session on the RingGo service and leaving their vehicle.
Do I accept this and move on, or do I appeal further to the Council's Parking appeal section. I have until Thursday 13 February to pay the reduced fee of £40.00. FYI I appealed previously when I put down the incorrect car registration by one Letter as that isnt a car I use usually, and Redbridge refused my appeal.
I have looked at the Parking ticket - it does parked without payment of the parking charge - The fact that I do have a ringo session, downloaded a copy from the app, and it was one hour free session, surely this is ludicrous behaviour of Redbridge Council?
Any help would be appreciated.
many thanks