I have drafted the following letter of appeal - is this ok to send, bearing in mind that the 8th April is the date to pay the half amount?
----------------------------
Re: Appeal for Parking Charge Notice [Ticket Reference Number]
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to formally appeal the Parking Charge Notice (PCN) referenced above, issued for a minor overstay in your car park on [Date of Incident]. I do not admit liability for the charge and request that the PCN be cancelled for the following reasons:
Circumstances Outside of Control – Breakdown
The vehicle overstayed its allowed time due to an unforeseen and unavoidable breakdown. The driver was unable to leave the car park within the permitted time because of the mechanical issue, which was entirely outside of the control of both the driver and the parking operator. This situation falls under the principle of "frustration of contract," where the inability to comply with the terms of the parking agreement was due to an external and uncontrollable circumstance.
Overstay Duration
The overstay in question was approximately 11 minutes, which is a very minor infringement in comparison to the total duration of parking. While I acknowledge the importance of adhering to time limits, I believe that this small overstay—especially in light of the exceptional circumstances—does not justify the imposition of a penalty charge.
Grace Period and Enforcement
I understand that the grace period provided is not considered part of the "allowed time" but is intended to cover situations such as departing the car park. It is important to note that the breakdown occurred during this period and directly led to the overstay. The enforcement of parking charges should consider the practicalities of such situations where the driver is physically unable to leave due to a mechanical issue.
Request for Intervention from the Supermarket
I have also approached the supermarket where the car was parked and requested their intervention in this matter, as they may be willing to support the appeal given the circumstances.
In light of these factors, I respectfully request that you cancel this Parking Charge Notice, as the situation was beyond the driver's control and the overstay was minimal. I trust you will take these points into consideration when reviewing this appeal.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt and favourable response.
Yours faithfully,
