Free Traffic Legal Advice

I can confirm that the Popla Appeal was successful. Euro Car Parks took back the case. Thank you

Dear forum,

The appeal was made as directed and no cancellation was offered from the customer services team.

An appeal was also made on their website and it was rejected.

In appeal the following was sent (it had to be very condensed due to word limits)

The driver was a genuine paying customer and long-term Esso user. The stay only extended due to unavoidable delays: card machine issues in Esso causing long queues, multiple purchases, use of facilities before a long journey, topping up fuel, and urgent infant-care needs for a baby with a skin-sensitivity condition. These justify discretionary cancellation, and infant-care delays require reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010.

The driver saw no clear signage of any stay limit. The PPS CoP requires a consideration period to read terms, a grace period at the end of the stay, and if limits were recently changed, prominent temporary signage for at least 4 months.

Apologies for the delay due to extenuating circumstanes. If cancellation is refused, please provide POPLA code.

With this receipts was sent showing proof of purchase of store items + fuel receipts.

Please see attatched their appeal rejection letter in response.

https://ibb.co/Zp7CXdHR
https://ibb.co/ycTm6VDZ
https://ibb.co/7xKx2FZm

Please guide me to next steps which would be likely be the POPLA appeal.

Also they have a 14 day window to pay the PCN. If I go ahead with the popla appeal do I need to inform them somehow so that they don't escalate further as only 4 days are left to pay but they allow a further 16 days to make a popla appeal?

Thanks.
@b789

Hi everyone,

This is my first time posting here. I was advised by a friend to post here. I really appreciate the work you all do to help each other and would love to contribute in someway going forward.

I need some advice regarding a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) received relating to an alleged overstay at the Esso car park, Rainham (RM13 8DP) on 22/09/2025.

Details:
• Date of alleged contravention: 22/09/2025
• Entry time: 12:46:30
• Exit time: 13:20:56
• Date of issue (PCN): 27/09/2025
• Charge amount: £100, payable by 25/10/2025, reduced to £60 if paid by 11/10/2025

I am the registered keeper of the vehicle.
The driver was a paying customer at the site. Fuel was purchased, some items were bought in the Esso shop, and there was a need to use the facilities before leaving for a long journey out of city, with a baby in the vehicle that needed a changing and a feed. These circumstances meant the total stay slightly exceeded what appears to be a limited parking period, which the driver did not notice at the time (no signage indicating restrictions was seen). I don't have any images of the signage at this site.

Unfortunately, the PCN letter I received was misplaced and only came to my attention today, 27/10/2025. No appeal or payment has been made, and no further correspondence has been received so far.

Link to location (street view):
https://www.instantstreetview.com/@51.525965,0.167126,349.75h,8.43p,1.75z,Rl9DLIKCIowXiCVb7Rp-kg

Please could you advise on:
• Whether it is still possible to appeal or challenge the notice at this stage. I've passed the 28 day window to pay or appeal?
• The best approach to take as the next steps, given the delay in reading the initial PCN.

Thank you in advance for your guidance.

Please see attatched images (front and back) on the PCN received with confidentials redacted:

https://ibb.co/XZhQPG9S

https://ibb.co/6cm452nB

Please do let me know if in error in included information which should be redacted.

Thank you once again.