Free Traffic Legal Advice

Quote from: Aubama on June 04, 2026, 05:32:23 pm

I would have thought my missus would have displayed the blue badge when parking, but this I cannot confirm and theres no pictures of the car parked.

The allegation is that the driver failed to pay for the full duration of their stay, so unless this particular car park offers free parking to blue badge holders, the badge is largely irrelevant.

Are you the registered keeper?

Right, understood.  And yes, i'm the registered keeper

Thanks, at the time I did feel like it wasnt a drive through zone but because I saw a car ahead and the passenger confirming that it was possible to drive through I went for it.  Hopefully someone here can advise on next steps.

Yes, its the sign showing a motorbike symbol above a symbol for a car, hence "Flying Motorbike"

We usually always advise OPs to submit some representations, but on the face of it, what you could say is not much. I'm assuming you missed the two signs at Cambridge Street. If you look on GSV, you'll see the road markings show this as the main road with the street ahead, (Station Parade) narrowed,
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tRoYKB6tAqFwCnUSA

Wait a bit to see what others may say but don't miss the deadline for paying or submitting representations.

Hi @incadescent, It was my first time visitng the area so I dont know it at all.  I did however manage to download the video, so Ive uploaded to youtube..you can view here: https://youtu.be/Sjro3A0MKsY

I'd have to go back to the area if you need any recent signage, its around 1 hour away from me.

Thanks

Well, I've tried to look at their video of the alleged contravention, and the response I get is they cannot find the PCN number I typed in despite trying 3 times and checking to make sure the details are correct. Yet the photos on your PCN are frames from this video !

Can you tell us please your route into Station Parade.

Here is GSV 2018 showing the restriction signs ("Flying Motorbike") ar the junction with Cambridge Street.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/TxFQ4d1oKzJEa1rW7
and here are the signs at the other end, on Ripple Road that runs into Station Parade
https://maps.app.goo.gl/b6xq8ksqKVGAZENN7

As GSV is only up go 2018, the scheme may have been expanded, but only you can confirm if the signs shown on GSV are still there.

Are you new to this area, which has been a PITA for many motorists in the past ?

Hi all, I have had this debt recovery letter through the post.  Im not quite sure what I should be doing here, I have not corresponded with them since the rejection from PALS. Any advice on what I should be doing next is greatly appreciated.

Quote from: Aubama on May 05, 2025, 09:58:09 pm

Any further action without compliance with the law will be reported to the relevant authorities.

Compliance with PoFA is not mandatory, and accordingly, not complying does not mean they're acting unlawfully. What is does mean of course, is that they cannot transfer liability to the hirer.

Here's my usual template for these cases:

Dear Sirs,

I have received you Parking Charge Notice [(PCN number)] for Vehicle Registration Mark [VRM]. I am appealing as the vehicle's hirer. There is no obligation for me to name the driver at the time and I will not be doing so.

To hold me liable for the charge as the hirer of the vehicle, you must meet the conditions specified in Paragraph 14 of Schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (“the Act”). I note from your correspondence that you have failed to meet these conditions. These failures include (but are not limited to) a failure to include the additional documents mentioned by 13(2) of the Act, as required by 14(2)(a).

As a result of this, you are unable to recover the specified charge from me, the hirer. As I do not have liability for this charge, I am unable to help you further with this matter. I therefore look forward to your confirmation that the Parking Charge Notice has been cancelled and that no further action will be taken against me.

Yours faithfully

Thank you! I'll add specifics and submit this now

No other documents with this letter. So should my response be along the lines of..

'I am writing in response to the Notice to Hirer issued in respect of vehicle KW74TNE on 22nd April 2025.

This notice fails to comply with Schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, specifically paragraph 14(2), which outlines the conditions required for holding a hirer liable. You have not provided the mandatory documents required under PoFA, namely:

A copy of the original Notice to Keeper;

A statement signed by or on behalf of the hire company confirming the vehicle was on hire at the material time;

A copy of the hire agreement;

A copy of a statement of liability signed by the hirer.

Without all of the above, you cannot pursue the hirer for this charge, and I expect you to cancel the Notice immediately.

Please confirm cancellation in writing. Any further action without compliance with the law will be reported to the relevant authorities.'

Is this ok? Thanks in advance

Any other documents included alongside the Notice to Hirer?

If not, then don’t in any way disclose who the driver was. You, the hirer, can not be held liable because of non-compliance with the Protections of Freedoms Act 2012.

The legislation requires that you be sent the original Notice to Keeper plus

Quote

(a)a statement signed by or on behalf of the vehicle-hire firm to the effect that at the material time the vehicle was hired to a named person under a hire agreement;

(b)a copy of the hire agreement; and

(c)a copy of a statement of liability signed by the hirer under that hire agreement.

I see, ok so Ben Travis is the CEO of Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust, so I'll find his email and cc him in as suggested.  I've only identified as the registered keeper.

So my response to PALS will be

"I am making a formal complaint about the conduct of Wise Parking, who manage the car park.

As the registered keeper of the vehicle, I have not identified the driver and refer only to "the driver" as required under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (PoFA). The Notice to Keeper issued is not fully PoFA compliant, and it also breaches the Private Parking Code of Practice by allowing only 21 days to appeal.

Wise Parking is a member of the IPC, which lacks a fair appeals process. I am concerned the Trust has contracted a company known for aggressive and predatory practices. This undermines patient and visitor care.

Please refer to the NHS Car Parking Guidance 2022, which the Trust is expected to follow. I do not accept a generic or dismissive response and request this complaint be escalated and formally acknowledged.

I would also like to know who approved this contractor and what steps the Trust will take in response."

Is this any good?

I parked at the hospital in a standard parking space and clearly displayed my Blue Badge. At the time, I believed the signage indicated that Blue Badge holders did not need to pay. However, I’ve since contacted Wise Parking and was informed that Blue Badge holders are required to register at the reception—something I was unaware of and therefore did not do.

It took quite a while to find a parking space, and in the process, there was a delay between reading the signage and actually parking. Given the time and frustration involved, it’s possible I misinterpreted the instructions.

I have now received a PCN in the post and would appreciate any advice or support on how best to appeal it successfully.

GSV: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GFCrAvQa1p6UDD839

PCN:



Thank you.