Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hello,

Looking for some help with the following parking fine I have received.

Smart Parking Ltd = Company that runs the parking on site. They do NOT have a phone number to call.
Debt Recovery Plus = Debt collectors for on site parking. They have a phone number to call.
Location: Banbury Spice Ball Leisure Centre

Timeline:
-August 2025
  -Received my first letter through the door of the parking fine.
-August 2025
  -sent my appeal to the company (have proof of email received as they have an automatic reply).
-October 2025
  -sent my second appeal as I had not had a letter through or email to say that it got rejected.
-October 2025
  -Received my first letter from the Debt Recovery Plus company on behalf of Smart Parking Ltd.
  -No acknowledgement or letter from Smart Parking Ltd to say my appeal was denied.
-October 2025
  -Called Debt Recovery Plus for the first time to understand why it had been escalated to them.
  -Asked them to help me get in touch with Smart Parking to raise the question about the appeal.
-November 2025
  -Was told by Debt Recovery Plus that my case with them was on HOLD
-November 2025
  -Received an email from Smart Parking Ltd.
  -Stated that: "We note your comments made... as per the Private Parking Single Sector Code of Practice June 2024 (clause 8.4.1a) all appeals must be submitted within 28 days of notice to keeper being issued".
  -"Due to the length of time the PC has been open, this has now been referred to Debt Recovery Plus.
  -They claim to have responded to my original email where I appealed and advised me to check my spam and junk folder.
-December-January 2026
  -Received more and more letters from Debt Recovery Ltd claiming for the money.

My Story
Hopefully the above dates help in the explanation. I arrived at the Centre at 11:50. I visited the leisure centre for a 1 hour badminton slot. Walking past the payment sign, I went inside and asked how it worked. The reception worker just mentioned I had to pay at the kiosk when leaving. I played 1 hour of badminton. (Lets say 12:00-13:00). At around 13:05 I walked out to the car park to pay. Went over to the machine and pay for an hour.
Drove off and assumed I was fine. I still have the receipts to prove this.

Then a couple of months later I get the initial letter from Smart Parking Ltd. (the one and only letter received by this company)
The rest is in the timeline above. I initially tried to dispute this as from my understanding I have paid for the hour and was told to do it in this manner. I do not have any images of the payment box or signs (so if necessary I could collect these - if it helps).

No emails or mail was received to tell me my appeal (2 of which I had raised) were rejected. No phone number or email to reply to. No way to dispute or attempt to resolve the issue. The only thing I had was the initial letter of payment. (I think around £30 - I can confirm as I still have the original)

Then every 2 weeks or so from that point on I have received a letter from the debt recovery company. Which has now increased to £170 and claiming legal action.

I would really appreciate the support on this. I've had a similar issue in the past (up in Scotland) where I was advised that it is not necessary to pay. But now after moving down to England I've heard that this is? Even though I have paid for my ticket.

Thanks in advance!





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Please post up the original PCN showing both sides but redacting ONLY personal info.

Well the first question would be "when you responded / appealed did you out yourself as the driver?"