Free Traffic Legal Advice

Dear lovely helpful people,

It is currently day 24 since the letter was printed (9/04/26) and I understand I must send an appeal on day 25 or 26 from advice on these forums, so may have to go ahead if no one sees this and hope all is well.

I have recieved a final notification letter over a month after the date of issue stated on the PCN for a vehicle I am keeper of, stating the permit purchased did not cover the date and time of parking. I have recieved no other letter or notification. I have read the newbie thread on moneysavingexpert and reasoned I could try altering their template (omitting that they haven't explained what it is for, as they have?)- times are stated but there are no photographs.

There was a sick dog in the car and the driver no longer has any tickets from any machines so as there isn't proof of how long was paid for or the times on the printed ticket, I am wondering if it can be contested. I have encouraged looking for any card payments incase it was not cash.

Having researched this car park I have discovered the cameras start counting from the moment of passing the threshold, not from when the car is actually parked, so the time on the ticket is unlikely to match up with the camera times- I found a forum post by someone who had been fined for 5 seconds! Also evidence people are charged who didnt even park.
This car park was in articles in 2024 for it's unfairness and seems the machine is often on the blink- the following link contains signage images for 2024. I am unaware what the grace period is meant to be for this car park.

Street view :  Has a photo of machine sign from 2026.

My research attempts seem to tell me it may not be POFA compliant if there was no notice to keeper?


To my mind at the least they should reduce it to the lower amount and that is all my family believes I should be asking to avoid risk (shall I add this to my appeal), but it sounds like if they are not compliant the whole thing is void?

Images of PCN:



Thus:
'Dear Euro Car Parks team,
I dispute your 'parking charge', as the keeper of the vehicle- I have recieved a final notification letter but no other contact or notice to keeper, breaching POFA.

There will be no admissions as to who was driving and no assumptions can be drawn as the notice is not POFA compliant. Since your PCN is a vague template, I require an explanation of the allegation with evidence. You must include a close up actual photograph of the sign you contend was at the location on the material date as well as your images/footage of the vehicle.
If the allegation concerns a PDT machine, the data supplied in response to this appeal must include the record of payments made - showing partial VRNs.
If the allegation involves an alleged overstay of minutes, your evidence must include the actual grace period agreed by the landowner.
Kind regards'

I have not appealed a fine before even when unfair, so posting to be sure, apologies for any repeats- I have been looking. Family going on about points on licence if this goes to court!


Thanks for your time, energy and have a lovely day!

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This is a civil matter and small claims court, there is no chance of anything happening with a driving licence.

Also, if it went all the way to court it is most usually that ECP will discontinue the case before paying the court fee.

Thanks Dave, hard to be confident when it's the first time you're doing anything like this. If it seems they would win though I presume they would go to court?