3. Carpark Securities PCN - Overstayed Ticket - Whiston Hospital Car Park, Whiston
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Carpark Securities PCN - Overstayed Ticket - Whiston Hospital Car Park, Whiston
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Good Morning,

I, the registered keeper & vehicle owner, recieved the below PCN from a private company for a driver overstaying in a car park.

A payment for 2 hours was made via the RingGo app.
The driver overstayed by 12m & 19s, they were visiting a sick relative and didn't realise how long the journey back to the car park would take them.

Hoping someone is able to offer some advice on how to (successfully) appeal.
Thank you in advance.

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Re: Carpark Securities PCN - Overstayed Ticket - Whiston Hospital Car Park, Whiston
« Reply #1 on: »
Contact PALS first and ask them to cancel it for you.

Otherwise, there is no “period of parking” specified so PoFA 2012 can not be used to transfer liability from the driver to the registered keeper. But that’s more hassle.
« Last Edit: July 17, 2025, 10:43:55 am by jfollows »
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Re: Carpark Securities PCN - Overstayed Ticket - Whiston Hospital Car Park, Whiston
« Reply #2 on: »
Quote from: jfollows on July 17, 2025, 10:37:36 am
Otherwise, there is no “period of parking” specified
There's legible timestamps on the ANPR photos, which could be used to argue a period of parking has been specified. One could make the counter-argument that it should be printed separately on the notice of course, but it's a potentially weaker argument than some cases we see.

PALS is definitely a wise place to start.
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Re: Carpark Securities PCN - Overstayed Ticket - Whiston Hospital Car Park, Whiston
« Reply #3 on: »
Perfect, thank you very much.
I will update if there's anything more.
thanks again. :)
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UPDATE - Carpark Securities PCN - Overstayed Ticket - Whiston Hospital Car Park, Whiston
« Reply #4 on: »
Good Afternoon,

I have recieved the following back from PALS at the hospital after asking them to cancel the ticket:
"This car park is not managed by our Trust, nor do any of our car park attendants carry out any patrols of the parking area or view the machines.  We have asked for legal advice regarding this car park to see if they can remove the very misleading signage but have been told there is nothing legally, we can do because they have not used the NHS logo. 
We have asked for information regarding this to go on our website, so people are made aware that this is not a Trust car park and this is in the process of being added.
I can only apologise that there is nothing more we as a trust can do regarding this issue."

I have checked Google Maps to see if I can find pics of the car park but they are 3x years old and not up to date, the actual car park backs onto an area used for staff parking that's permit holders only so I can't provide pics of the signage without travelling for an hour each way.

Given this, is there anything I can do to fight the ticket based on available information?

Thank you in advance.

Original post:
Quote from: Dr-Perry-Cox on July 17, 2025, 10:07:14 am
Good Morning,

I, the registered keeper & vehicle owner, recieved the below PCN from a private company for a driver overstaying in a car park.

A payment for 2 hours was made via the RingGo app.
The driver overstayed by 12m & 19s, they were visiting a sick relative and didn't realise how long the journey back to the car park would take them.

Hoping someone is able to offer some advice on how to (successfully) appeal.
Thank you in advance.

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Re: Carpark Securities PCN - Overstayed Ticket - Whiston Hospital Car Park, Whiston
« Reply #5 on: »
Make the following form complaint to Rob Cooper, the CEO of the Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Use this contact form: https://so.merseywestlancs.nhs.uk/ask-chief-exec

Put the following into the 'message' section:

Quote
Re: Parking Charge Notice Reference [Insert Reference Number] issued by Car Park Securities Ltd at Whiston Hospital

Dear Mr Cooper,

I am submitting this formal complaint concerning the Parking Charge Notice issued by Car Park Securities Ltd in relation to a vehicle parked at Whiston Hospital. The notice refers to “Whiston Hospital Car Park,” yet PALS has asserted that the Trust neither owns nor manages the site. This response fails to address the deeper issue: whether the car park forms part of the hospital campus under a Private Finance Initiative arrangement, and whether the Trust retains oversight of its agents.

As Chief Executive, you will be aware that infrastructure including car parks is operated via contractual partners such as Medirest under the NewHospitals PFI. Enforcement is subcontracted to firms like Car Park Securities Ltd, and while the Trust may not manage this directly, the NHS Car Parking Guidance 2022 makes it absolutely clear: NHS organisations are responsible for the conduct of contractors operating on their behalf.

Allowing a third-party to issue misleading notices with references to Whiston Hospital — without signage disclaiming NHS control — creates reputational and legal risk. Patients and visitors cannot reasonably distinguish this car park from genuine Trust-managed facilities. The guidance prohibits incentive-based contracts and demands action against rogue operators. Failure to do so falls at the feet of the Trust.

The response from PALS was dismissive and inadequate. Their assertion that the Trust cannot act because the NHS logo wasn’t used is unacceptable. If the car park is physically part of the hospital site, on NHS land, or operated under Trust-sanctioned contractual arrangements, it is the Trust’s responsibility to ensure fairness and clarity. PALS should have escalated, not deflected.

I am therefore requesting:

- Confirmation of the land ownership and contractual structure involving Car Park Securities Ltd
- Immediate instruction to your agent to cancel the PCN referenced below
- Amendment or removal of signage that creates misleading NHS association
- Disclosure of any income arrangements linked to parking charge enforcement
- An apology for PALS’ dismissive handling and failure to engage the relevant internal departments
- Assurance that Trust oversight will be strengthened moving forward

Please confirm acknowledgment of this complaint within five working days and confirm what action will be taken. Should this issue remain unresolved, I will escalate it further to NHS England, the DVLA and relevant regulatory bodies.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Full Name]
PCN Reference [Insert Reference Number]
Keeper of Vehicle Registration [XXX]
Date: [Insert Date]
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Never argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience” - Mark Twain
Re: Carpark Securities PCN - Overstayed Ticket - Whiston Hospital Car Park, Whiston
« Reply #6 on: »
Thank you very much, I will advise how I get on :)
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Re: Carpark Securities PCN - Overstayed Ticket - Whiston Hospital Car Park, Whiston
« Reply #7 on: »
Good Morning,

Quicker response than I expected from the CEO, please see below:

Thank you for your email in relation to the PCN notice you have been issued with.

I can confirm that the information provided by PALs is correct, and the car park on Dragon Lane is operated by a private contractor who has no commercial or financial relationship with the Trust, and therefore we are unable to help in relation to the parking charge notice (PCN0) that was issued by Car Park Securities LTD.

There are two car parks on Dragon Lane both accessed via the same entrance.  The first is a staff car park for MWL staff, which is managed on our behalf by Medirest as part of the PFI.  This is leased land and not owned by the Trust, nor is it part of the trust campus.  The second area at the top of the car park nearest to Warrington Road has been sold by the landowner to a private contractor,  who has developed the land as a pay and display car park.  As stated, there is no relationship between the provider of this car park and the Trust.  I understand that advertising this as a Whiston Hospital car park may be misleading, but there is clear signage in the car park itself setting out the terms of use.

The Trust website also clearly states that this car park is not managed by the Trust  - Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust STHK | Whiston Hospital

Car parking at Whiston Hospital for Patients and Visitors​

Please note: The new car park constructed on Dragon Lane (the old Dragon pub site, adjacent to a Trust staff car park) is not managed by the Trust. This area and the yellow hatched lines leading up to the car park are owned by a private company.

If you park in this area and do not pay the fee specified, this may result in a fixed penalty being issued by this private company. The Trust has no influence over any fines or charges associated with this car park.

Trust car parking is available for patients and visitors in the Multi Storey Car Park off Warrington Road, by the Accident and Emergency Department off Dragon Lane and by the paediatric entrance off Stoney Lane. There is also a dedicated disabled car park at the front of the hospital main entrance and also disabled spaces available within the multi storey, Accident and Emergency and paediatric car parks.

For your information, the Trust (and its partners) do not currently use PCNs to manage car parking on the Whiston Hospital site.

I am very sorry I am unable to assist you further but hope this response has answered your concerns about the situation.

Yours sincerely

Rob

Rob Cooper

Chief Executive

Would anyone please be able to advise if there are any next steps I could take to challenge?
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Re: Carpark Securities PCN - Overstayed Ticket - Whiston Hospital Car Park, Whiston
« Reply #8 on: »
What led the driver to believe that the car park was part of the hospital campus?

I'd respond with something like this:

Quote
To: Rob Cooper, Chief Executive Officer
Subject: Response to Your Dismissal of PCN Complaint – Trust Accountability Not Optional

Dear Mr Cooper,

Thank you for your response. Unfortunately, it does not withstand scrutiny.

You confirm that the car park in question is adjacent to Whiston Hospital, accessed via the same entrance as Trust-managed facilities, and that it is being advertised — by the operator — as “Whiston Hospital Car Park”. You also admit this is misleading. That alone should trigger intervention.

The fact that the land has been sold does not absolve the Trust of responsibility for the consequences of allowing a private enforcement scheme to operate under the implied banner of NHS infrastructure. Patients, visitors, and staff are being misled into believing this car park is part of the hospital campus. That confusion is not theoretical — it is real, and it is being exploited for profit.

The NHS Car Parking Guidance 2022 makes it clear: NHS organisations are responsible for the actions of contractors operating on or adjacent to their premises. That includes taking action against rogue operators and preventing misleading signage. The Trust’s duty is not limited to land it owns — it extends to protecting the public from confusion caused by proximity and implied affiliation.

Your website disclaimer is a weak afterthought. It does nothing to help those already caught out. There is no visible disclaimer at the site entrance. There is no effort to challenge the operator’s branding. And there is no indication that the Trust has even contacted Car Park Securities Ltd to demand they stop using the hospital’s name.

So let me be clear: I am not asking the Trust to take legal action. I am demanding that the Trust take responsibility. That means:

• Contacting Car Park Securities Ltd and instructing them to cancel the PCN issued under misleading conditions
• Demanding removal of any reference to “Whiston Hospital Car Park” from their signage and notices
• Installing physical disclaimers at the site entrance to warn the public
• Escalating the issue to Trading Standards or the local authority if the operator refuses to comply
• Reviewing the land sale terms to determine whether branding restrictions were included or should have been

If the Trust chooses to do nothing, it is complicit in the confusion and reputational damage. I expect a response confirming what action will be taken — not another attempt to disclaim responsibility.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Full Name]

Keeper of Vehicle Registration [XXX]
PCN Reference [Insert Reference Number]
Date: [Insert Date]
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Never argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience” - Mark Twain
Re: Carpark Securities PCN - Overstayed Ticket - Whiston Hospital Car Park, Whiston
« Reply #9 on: »
Thank you for this.
The driver was under the impression that the car park was hospital related as you drive into an area clearly signed as "Whiston Hospital Staff Car Park".
In addition, the RingGo app clearly identifies the car park as "Whiston Hospital Car Park", the location code on signage takes you straight there.

There are two options when here:
-you can proceed into another area (the only entrance/exit is from the staff car park) where it appears this is the area operated by Car Park Securities
-we were advised by a staff nurse when visiting that you can park in the Staff Car Park after hours and pay for parking

I will make the journey over the weekend and take up to date pictures but we have visited the hospital around 10x times over 3 weeks, if you'd held a gun to my head I could not have told you it wasn't hospital parking.
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