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Hi all, I, the registered keeper of a vehicle, received a parking charge through the post on Friday 3rd July 2026 for an alleged contravention on the 26th May 2026 from APCOA for the car being parked at a South Western Railway car park with no registered payment. It looks like this was administered by a person rather than cameras.

I have read the forum and I am unclear how to proceed as I believe there might have been some change to the law as of 1st January 2026 so previous methodologies might not be relevant? I could be wrong though!

Any advice if I should engage with APCOA on this, or do I just ignore? I'd rather not get tonnes of "debt" collection letters but am happy to do so if ignoring is the preferred option.

Thank you very much in advance!

Attached front and back of Parking charge from APCOA and a notice that is displayed in the car park in question: HERE.

Thank you very much for your quick reply.

I shall just ignore then, unless anyone else has a view on this.

Edit: Just seen your edit about the law change at end of 2025, useful, thank you.

Also, is there a length of time that the risk becomes lower? 6 months?

Yes.
Six years.
Again, you’re thinking of the previous regime in which Penalty Charge Notices were issued (by APCOA, who didn’t have the right to do so, but overlook that) for criminal summary-only offences which have to be brought to the court within six months. That’s all changed now. Under civil law, prosecutions for breach of contract can be brought within six years.

See for the legislation change.

2.  At the end of paragraph 3(4) of Schedule 4 to the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 insert “, but not byelaws made under section 219 of the Transport Act 2000(1) by the Strategic Rail Authority, confirmed under Schedule 20 of the Transport Act 2000 and preserved by section 46(4) of the Railways Act 2005(2)”.

The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (Definition of Relevant Land) (Amendment) Order 2025

Made 27th November 2025
Coming into force 26th December 2025
The Secretary of State, in exercise of powers conferred by paragraph 16(1)(a) of Schedule 4 to the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012(1) makes the following Order.

A draft of this instrument was laid before Parliament in accordance with paragraph 17(2) of Schedule 4 to the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

Thanks for the reply.

1. Picture of serial number in bottom left of front of letter here:

2. It doesn't have an (obvious) sent or generated date, it just says "Date of Issue of this charge": 26/05/2026, presumably the date they ticketed the car but I don't know as I am just the registered keeper. I've only just received the letter on Friday 3rd July.

3. How long is the relevant period? I'd expect @jfollows to have picked up on that if it were relevant? 56 days is what ChatGPT is telling me?

Thanks, is that relevant here though? ChatGPT saying not if there was a windscreen ticket, which there might have been and presumably they would have a photo of that.

I don't know if there is a window ticket as I am just the registered keeper but for the purpose of this thread, lets assume there was. Thanks.

Can we see the PCN?

Not relevant for this but could be for others, The serial number is the unix timestamp in seconds it would seem.

"1782466676" = Fri Jun 26 2026 09:37:56 GMT+0000

Useful to know, thank you!

OP: as mentioned before APCOA don't have a reputation for actually issuing proceedings. The advice is ignore the debt collector threats, and come back in the very unlikely event you get a Claim Form. Oh, and tell APCOA if you change address - you don't want to miss a claim form get get a default CCJ.