Free Traffic Legal Advice

Your first appeal was rejected because they said it was too late. So you were advised to send a formal complaint, which they are obliged to also treat as an appeal. I drafted it and told you what to do.

Have you sent it or not? Reply #16 refers.

I have sent it as of now. Thanks for your assistance and patience.

No, just one pcn.
When parked there are no signs in front or to the side of the vehicle. There is one on the temporary fence/barrier behind the vehicle, that imo can be easily missed. Will add photos tomorrow.

This is what they have said:
The signage displayed throughout Cockhedge Shopping Centre - Rear Visitor car park states that parking is for Buzz Bingo patrons only between Monday and Saturday, 6pm – 2 am. Buzz Bingo patrons are instructed to enter their full, correct vehicle registration into the terminal at reception on arrival to obtain a 3-hour parking permit.  The signage also states that all terms and conditions apply to Blue Badge holders.

 

After reviewing our records, we are unable to locate any vehicle registration that matches or is similar to vehicle registration [Reg redacted]. We believe this is due to a major keying error taking place or the vehicle registration not being entered.  The vehicle remained within the car park without being registered for a parking permit, therefore the Parking Charge was incurred.

 

Our records confirm that postal correspondence was issued to the address provided to us by the DVLA on 16/07/2025, 25/07/2025, 19/08/2025 and 03/09/2025. Please see attached copies of the correspondence issued for your records.

 

Our Appeals & Complaints Procedure which can be found on the Parking Charge Notice, explains all appeals submitted be submitted within 28 days of the delivery of the Parking Charge.  As the time frame to submit an appeal has now passed, we are unable to consider any appeals at this stage, and the Parking Charge remains outstanding.

 

Please note, as stated on their website, POPLA is available to motorist with a valid verification code. Verification codes are valid for 28 days after the parking operator has considered your appeal and sent you its outcome. POPLA verification codes are only available to motorists who have appealed the Parking Charge notice within 28 days of receiving it.

 

We would like to highlight that Parkingeye are member of the British Parking Association and operate in line with the Private Parking Sector Single Code of Practice. All our signage and processes are compliant with the code of practice.  Parkingeye takes its responsibilities under the Equality Act very seriously. We do not discriminate against those falling under the protection of the Act and our services already incorporate many reasonable adjustments, including, for example, offering fair and reasonable consideration and a grace periods.

 

Please be advised that the UK Blue Badge scheme grants specific parking rights, such as ‘up to 3 hours parking’ on public roads. These statutory rights do not extend to private land, such as shopping centres or hospital car parks.

As a gesture of goodwill, on a without prejudice basis, we will reduce the parking charge amount to £60.00 if paid within the next 14 days.

Thanks for the continued advice. I have now submitted the complaint.

Does the fact they sent the 'reminder' so soon - 9 days after date of 'issue' - suggest they never sent the original PCN in the first place? The 14 days allowed to pay the reduced rate hadn't even passed. It definitely wasn't received and the post here is usually pretty reliable.

Further information about the location and signage:

I have been informed by the general manager of the shopping centre that "after 6pm this car park is for the use of Buzz Bingo Patrons only" and "there are a number of signs in and on the entry to this car park". Images of signs provided have been attached. 3 hours free for bingo patrons, (maybe this explains zero time for non-bingo?)

The location of these signs appears to be as highlighted (yellow) in the plan map view attached. The vehicle was parked in the disabled bays outside the bingo entrance, highlighted (red) in plan and streetview attached. There does not appear to be any signage there, though streetview could be out of date. I have asked the centre manager to send pictures of any signs in this area if he has them.

Streetview of the entrance (yellow arrow) shows a hut, which isn't there now, nor does it appear to be on the plan view, so don't know what signage is there.

Can somebody help with this situation, the registered keeper is elderly and this is causing a lot of stress.

The vehicle was parked in a disabled bay for around 4 hours, apparently 2 hours are free after which charges apply. The car park is pay on exit, the driver did not see any signage or pay machines in the vicinity of the parking space and left without paying. You need to input the vehicle registration at the machine, and there are no barriers.

The car park is very large, the PCN states it's the ‘rear visitor’ car park (oo er mrs). I’m trying to track down the exact location of the bay on streetview, in relation to the payment terminal ‘in reception’, and where the signs are and what they say. The registered keeper did not receive the initial PCN but received a PCN ‘reminder’, dated 25 June (attached).

I have emailed the retail park and intend to appeal Parking Eye with the MSE template, adding mention of an occupant being a blue badge holder and unable to walk round searching for signs/pay stations late at night.

The wording on the back of the PCN refers to staying “within the car park for longer than the 0 hours 0 minutes max stay time”. This seems nonsensical to me, how can the maximum time allowed be zero?

Hi, got a 'have i been caught' & hoping for a bit of advice as to what I should do. The car that I'm the registered keeper of entered the car park at Manchester Aquatics Centre this afternoon for approx 5 minutes, before leaving without making payment as the driver realised they had navigated to the wrong car park (wanted the ncp car park nearby). This car park is operated by Parkonomy and has anpr. I expect I will soon be the recipient of a parking charge letter from this outfit. Should I just sit tight and wait and see if a letter arrives, or try to preemptively contact them and explain what happened? This is google listing for the location, which also has images of the parking signs: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8iebCEdYzmhLmA617

Thanks