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As the registered keeper of a vehicle, I had a PCN arrive on 12/04/25.
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The driver had taken a child to a school cross country event, held at Yeovil Recreation Centre. The school had advised to park in the althetics arena car park. No further instruction was given and driver was unaware of what constituted the athletics arena car park before arriving on site. Aerial view of car park

To note, there are 2 car parks - one with tarmac and lines marked which is owned by the athletics arena (ok to park in), one which is stony and been made into more of a car park since this aerial picture has been taken, with wooden fencing to help cars park to make full use of the space. Last year, this stony car park had been fine to park in. This year, Yeovil College have use of this car park. It is staff only permit parking until 4pm (unsure of the start time).

On arrival at 3.40, the driver did not notice any signage before going into the stony car park. Cross country events are busy with lots of people arriving and the driver was taking care not to hit anyone.

There were spaces in the athletic arena car park but with traffic behind the driver and people everywhere, the driver felt pressure to get parked quickly. The driver drove into the stony area of the car park and parked.

When leaving the car, the driver was informed that they had entered a staff only permit area 20 minutes before the permit requirement was lifted. The driver stayed as they had been picked up by ANPR on arrival and felt it would make no difference to leave.

The driver spoke to the cross country event staff who directed the driver to the athletics arena staff. They told the driver that if any fine arrives, bring it to them and they will sort it with the College.

PCN arrived on Saturday. As the registered keeper and person with the PCN, I managed to visit the athletics arena staff on Tuesday this week, who took details and said they'd speak with the college. They told me that it was the first fine that had come to them and they had been expecting more. When they realised that parents were parking in the Yeovil College car park before 4pm, they sent someone down to stop anyone further.

Had an email from the athletics arena staff saying they had spoken to the College and been told that because it was an external company that enforces the notices, there was nothing the College could do and I'd be welcome to appeal to the company if I wish.

Now. Technically the driver did park somewhere without a permit. They were assured that it would be sorted and as it was a community event and 20 minutes before the permit rules lifted that it would seem unreasonable to fine - however, the driver was skeptical as the parking company would have had no knowledge of these circumstances. I as the registered keeper am surprised that the College has done nothing to help from their end.

Part of me really wants to give in and pay the fine - especially at the reduced rate - as I don't want the chance of anything hanging over me as the registered keeper. I'm unsure if I have any ability to appeal as registered keeper based on the circumstances? I am keen that it doesn't get to debt collector stage...

Advice welcome, thanks in advance.

Ah sorry I thought I had! Is it working now?

Awesome, thank you for your reply.

If they don't accept the appeal, is this sufficient enough that it should be successful with POPLA?

They've finally replied with the below:

Thank you for your correspondence, the contents of which has been noted.

In your first correspondence you have declared that you were not the driver at the time of the parking event.  If you were not the driver, please provide us with the driver’s full name and serviceable address within 10 days beginning with the day after this correspondence.

I copied and pasted what was provided and didn't amend. I don't remember anywhere where I had to select that I was/wasn't the driver. I also find it strange that they've called it my first correspondence as I'm unaware of any other correspondence with them...

You can either respond, simply referring them to the response given in Arkell v Pressdram (1971) or just wait for the appeal rejection and then appeal to POPLA.

They are required to respond to appeals within 28 days, either with a decision or an explanation of why it will take longer than 28 days.

In the absence of this, and given that they clearly received and processed your appeal, I’d write to them along the lines of telling them that they must uphold your appeal in the absence of compliance with their code of practice, eg https://www.britishparking.co.uk/write/Documents/AOS/Sector%20Code%20Templates/sectorsingleCodeofPracticeVersion1.1130225.pdf