Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi everyone,

I've just received a "Parking Charge Notice - Notice to Keeper" letter from Civil Enforcement for an "incident" on 20th December 2024.

The circumstances are as follows:
- On 20th December, the driver was driving on Greenwich High Road taking someone to a dentist appointment.
- There was nowhere to park near the dentist's office, and the road being busy with a cycle lane, the driver continued past the office and turned left into a car park in front of the Sainsbury's on Greenwich High Road.
- The driver did not notice any signage on entering - while there is a "Pay here" board visible on GSV, the driver's focus was on making the turn into the car park with pedestrians crossing and cyclists potentially in the blind spot at the left of the vehicle and did not see the sign.
- The driver proceeded to stop in a bay facing the entrance to Sainsbury's to let the passenger out - no signs were visible from this perspective.
- The passenger got out, fetched some possessions from the back seat and boot.
- After this, the driver exited the car park (i.e. they did not wait for the passenger, it was merely a "drop off").

The times marked on the PCN are entry at 08:57 and exit at 09:10. The duration seems longer than memory but is not disputed.

Links to the "PCN":
https://ibb.co/N37pRR5
https://ibb.co/TvkFvjk

Link to parking location:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4v4C32y4i3ZJyAsg7

Is there anything that can be done on this or should I simply pay up to get the early fee discount?

Many thanks in advance!