I have been parking at a private car park owned and managed by excel parking services for the last 3 years, several times a week for a few hours at a time. I always paid for parking each time, one of the occasions about 2 years ago an attendant advised me while I was struggling to pick the number ofhours that I could pay on exit as soon as long as I paid before I exited. I have done that for the last 2 years with no issues or concerns.
In August this year, I received 14 parking tickets (for parking in June and July 2024) from the company over unpaid parking, and when I called them to inquire they explained that although they have a record of me paying for the hours I spent parking, I am liable as I didn't pay for parking within 10mins of entry as per the signs in the parking station. I tried to appeal and explain to them I have been taking this approach for 2 years at the advise of their onsite employee, but they rejected my appeal and insisted I am liable. They have now referred this to the Independent Appeal Service. I am in no position to pay for all these. Also, I can't pay 2 years worth of infringements as they will be too many. How do I defend this please?
What are my options and chances of success.
To help us to help you, please read the following thread and provide as much of the information it asks for as you are able to -
READ THIS FIRST - Private Parking Charges Forum guide.
In addition to the information requested in that thread, it would also be useful to know/see:
- Whether you appealed each charge separately, or just one appeal for them all?
- Exactly what Excel's response(s) to the appeals were
I appealed the charges together at their advice after a telephone call, they however sent a separate letter of rejection for each ticket. I have attached one of the letters. They also referred each violation to the IAS separately and I have attached screenshots of their case as stated to the IAS
Sorry I meant to attach the letters but I am unable to as it keeps giving an error
I will try again to attach it.
If you read the thread I linked you to in my previous reply, it tells you how to add images.
https://imgur.com/a/MMBVxDPHere is a link to my pictures uploaded to Imgur.
It shows all the correspondence with the operator and information provided to IAS.
I couldn’t find the option to embed unfortunately, I am not as good with technology.
I will upload the layout of the car park as well
Exactly the same has happened to me, albeit the once. Exactly same letter they have sent me like they sent Oleigh. Signage was unclear, it should say in big writing PAY & DISPLAY. Not 24 hour pay car park and just put the ticket info in small print. I’ve never been to an underground car park with pay and display; hence my confusion. I also paid £2.50 flat rate as it was a Sunday, so the hours shouldn’t matter like they’re stating. I stayed 30 mins, to go to sports direct. Also was dark and awfully unsafe car park, no way of exit other than walking up the car entry/exit ramp, and the only other door to try get out said on the writing on the door “use this door and you will die” so I decided against it. Proper scammers it seems from all the forums online and reviews about the car park. So annoyed I’ve got charged. So any tips much appreciated.
For any tips on your case please start your own thread.
Prior to "June and July", how long had you been parking and paying on exit? Is it possible that they changed the terms of parking just before "June and July" and that previously it had been a "pay on exit" car park but then changed to a "pay within 5 minutes" car park?
I see on GSV that in July 2024 it was run by PCM, not Excel. When did Excel take over?
I started parking there in October 2021, 2-3 times a week, one of which was a Sunday (which has a flat charge).
The attendant asked me to pay on exit and I have been paying this way for over 2 years.
There has been no change in the board sign as far as I am aware.
I’m not sure what happened at their end in August, perhaps a change in management, but the first ever communication I’ve had from them was 14 tickets issued.
I’m not sure what GSV means, also, as far as I know it has been run by Excel Parking Services. This is based on the signs in the car park.
Thanks. I’ve just checked, I don’t see any reference to PCM, but happy to be corrected if I’m wrong.
Please post a picture of one of the Notice to Keeper (NtK) you received. Redact only your personal details, the PCN number and the VRM of your vehicle.
The GSV images of Bakers Road car park in Uxbridge show this as the location. Is this the correct place?
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3zHH4ZDJ4SKDpKEj8A close up of the sign near the entrance shows this:
That sign says PCM.
Hence my confusion as to who manages this car park, assuming it is the correct one referred to by the OP.
Oh I see. Thanks. I understand the confusion, I never noticed the sign over there on the left; that is a different space than the car park.
I have attached a zoomed out image, where you can see a demarcation to show there are 2 spaces.
I suppose the PCM reference is for the gated space on the left, while the bakers road car park is right side.
I have also now attached one of the NTKs as per your request. Link copied here
https://imgur.com/a/eps-MMBVxDP