Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi,

Welcoming any thoughts / advice on this case. Summary is that the account has been passed to debt collection despite good faith attempts by the driver to make payment.

21 Sep 2024
Car parked in Tesco car park. It was a Saturday and parking for up to 15 mins is free. If you shop at Tesco, there is no fee. The car park was extremely busy so the car was parked in the hatched area while the driver went inside to check with Tesco staff whether or not this would be okay. The driver returned to the vehicle less than 10 minutes later and saw the parking warden walking off from the car - the ticket was freshly issued. The car was not obstructing any other vehicle nor creating any safety concerns - this part of the car park appears to be a premeditated attempt by GroupNexus to extort money.

On a side note - cars parked even slightly over in the hatched areas have received tickets.

12 Nov 2024
Ticket appealed with POPLA on the grounds that the driver was there for less than 10 minutes and once the driver had checked with store staff, returned to the vehicle to move it.

27 Feb 2025
After appeal rejection, driver attempted to make payment in an attempt to get rid of it so he doesn't need to deal with the hassle.

Accessed payment link but the screen shows zero balance and driver is therefore unable to make payment. Screenshot taken and sent to GroupNexus by email on the same day.

10 Mar 2025
GroupNexus sends email demanding payment of £70 by cheque or online link.

13 Mar 2025
Driver does not own a cheque book so tries link again. Zero balance showing when accessing link so payment not possible. Screenshots taken and emailed to GroupNexus again.

18 Mar 2025
Account passed to Debt Recovery Plus (DRP) by GroupNexus (this info was found out in a phone call the driver made at a later date)

28 Mar 2025
Driver notified by letter that the account is with DRP and payment demand for £140 now being made.

31 Mar 2025
Driver calls DRP to explain payment attempts of £70. DRP advise to contact GroupNexus directly so driver emails GroupNexus accordingly, again highlighting the aforementioned issues. No response received to date from GroupNexus

12 May 2025
Numerous threatening letters received by driver up to this date from DRP. Threats of CCJ, increased costs etc. So driver writes letter to GroupNexus disputing the £140, but still states willingness to pay £70 to resolve the issue and remove further hassle. Letter sent by post to both GroupNexus and DRP registered offices. Also emailed to GroupNexus.

DRP also claiming a reduced amount of £60 was offered - driver confirmed that this was never received on recorded phone call on 31 Mar 2025.

11 Jun 2025
Letter from DRP demanding payment or for driver to call them.

17 Jun 2025
Driver calls DRP who claimed no letters have been received by them or GroupNexus. DRP confirms case was passed to them on 18 Mar 2025 i.e. 18 days after driver had contacted GroupNexus about their system issue.

18 Jun 2025
Driver sends same letter to both GroupNexus and DRP by recorded delivery.

20 Jun 2025
Receives acknowledgment from DRP who state that the time for appeal has passed. Note letter actually received on 25 Jun 2025.

16 Jul 2025
DRP send repeat letter per 20 Jun 2025. Note letter actually received on 23 Jul 2025

23 Jul 2025
DRP send "Final chance to settle £140" notice. Deadline of 06 Aug 2025 to reply. This letter was received on 31 Jul 2025. It is believed that DRP are backdating letters.

The driver is strongly considering issuing a counter claim against both GroupNexus and DRP. The driver acted in good faith to pay the charge, that is extortionate when compared to the time the vehicle was parked - less than 10 minutes.

I would be grateful for any advice / thoughts.

Thanks