Hello all
I'm after some advice how to proceed with this situation please.
The initial incident dates back to 01/08/2020 when the driver was in a Shell Petrol station in Bridgwater.
On the day, the driver stopped at this service station with a colleague in order to get food and drink from the premises and then to sit and eat, drink and have a chat using the facilities that were available on site. It may be pertinent to note that this was just after the COVID lockdown at a time when the regulations in England had recently been lifted but that in Wales (where the driver is located) regulations were still somewhat in place. I'm a little hazy as to the exact regulation changes due to the amount of time that has passed, so sorry for that.
It transpired that the forecourt had ANPR cameras and the vehicle in question was parked longer than the maximum period allowed, a total of 45 minutes.
Upon entering the forecourt neither the driver or colleague noticed any information regarding parking restrictions, nor within the service station.
As I remember there was still an element of social distancing, facemask wearing and hand washing within public spaces.
So, having arrived, ascertained where to park, donned a mask, gone into the building, used the toilet and washing facilities, found the food and drink, gone back outside to the picnic benches on site, had something to eat and drink while catching up with a friend for the first time in about a year, it was whilst walking over to a bin that the driver noticed a sign about parking on the wall of the building, that I think was a 40 minute waiting time, again, the length of time that has elapsed makes me a little hazy, but I believe that was their limit.
Upon noticing the sign, believing that the time was close to their limit, the driver and colleague both left the premises.
And so was received a PCN Notice To Keeper issued 06/08/2020 for an amount of £100 or £60 if paid within 14 days, the colleague of the driver whose vehicle entered and exited the premises directly behind received no such PCN.
Feeling aggrieved at the lack of signage especially given the nationally applied pandemic regulations that were partially still in place I filed a POPLA appeal which was duly rejected, I can't remember the details of that however, I don't know if I have a record of that still.
I think I responded to the notification of who the driver was also.
Following on from that unsuccessful approach, I consulted Pepipoo forums, posted the scenario and a couple of responses at the time stated that responding to the notification was an "own goal" but there was no reason to respond to any notices until a court claim came through.
So, the further notices came in the form of 4 letters from 'Debt Recovery Plus' starting in February 2021 every month requesting differing sums of money each time and then nothing further was heard.
Until November 2024, when DCBL sent their 4 letters, one a month, requesting £170, then sent an LoC dated 20 February 2025.
This has since led to a claim form being received 28/03/2025 that has an issue date of 25 March 2025 for £321.76.
And, I'd really like some advice please as to how to proceed if possible please?
