Free Traffic Legal Advice

Don't worry about it. They have acknowledged receipt of it. Just like sending something recorded delivery, you have no idea who actually signed for it or how it is handled after receipt.

You've fulfilled your obligation. The auto-reply you've received is a valid acknowledgment that Horizon Parking has received your communication. This is important because it provides a timestamped acknowledgment of receipt, confirming that your email has reached their system.

A delivery receipt or read receipt from an email can be used as evidence that the document was received, but it is not conclusive proof of service. Courts have ruled that service is valid once the document is delivered to the recipient’s server, regardless of whether the recipient actually reads the email.

Can that sign be shown in more detail? Is it contemporaneous?

Now it’s even more confusing because that email suggests that the Registered Keeper (RK) has tried to transfer liability for the charge to you, as the driver or “owner” (seriously?).

Who is the RK of the vehicle? What is your relationship to the vehicle?

They claim that the RK “advised” them that you were the “owner” of the vehicle at the time. What does that even mean? What does vehicle “ownership” have to do with the price of eggs in China?

So, just to get all this correct... It's not a leased/hired car. You (as in the 'royal you' and your partner) purchased the car at the beginning of July and the alleged parking contravention occurred at the end of July. Do you remember on what date you updated the V5C with the new address? You can enter your VRM on this page and it will tell you: https://www.gov.uk/get-vehicle-information-from-dvla

It matters not one iota who the "owner" is. Is there a possibility that at the time of the alleged contravention, the V5C had not yet been update with the new Keepers details (your partner)? Is there a possibility that the original NtK went to the previous Keeper?

So, Horizon are not merely being mendacious but outright lying. I would send them the following response:

Subject: Formal Complaint and Data Breach Notice Regarding Parking Charge Notice (PCN)

PCN Reference: [Original PCN Number]
New PCN Reference: [New PCN Number]

Dear Mr Middleton,

I write to express my outrage at Horizon Parking's handling of the above-referenced Parking Charge Notice (PCN). Your actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for your legal obligations and a clear attempt to cover up your procedural failings.

Your recent response to my complaint is both misleading and dishonest. I am formally demanding an immediate cancellation of this PCN and compensation for the misuse of my personal data, in breach of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). I will be making formal complaints to the British Parking Association (BPA), the DVLA, and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if this matter is not rectified without delay.

1. Horizon Parking’s False Claim Regarding My Address

You have falsely claimed that the Registered Keeper (me) provided you with an incomplete address. This is an outright lie. As the Registered Keeper, I certainly did not provide you with any address information. Your claim is not merely mendacious but outright untruthful, and it is clear evidence of Horizon Parking's attempts to cover up its own procedural failures.

The DVLA holds my full and correct address, including both the flat number and building number, and your failure to correctly use that information is entirely your responsibility. I have written confirmation from the DVLA that my details were provided accurately. The addressing error that caused significant delays and confusion is entirely Horizon Parking's fault. Your refusal to admit this error is disgraceful and shows a deliberate attempt to shift blame.

I demand that you:

• Acknowledge that the addressing error was caused by Horizon Parking’s failure to properly handle DVLA-provided data.

• Confirm that the original Notice to Keeper (NtK) was sent to the incorrect address due to your error.

Your failure to accurately use data obtained from the DVLA is a serious breach of both the BPA Code of Practice and the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (PoFA).

2. Unlawful Issuance of a New PCN Reference

Your decision to issue a new PCN reference is a blatant abuse of process and entirely without legal basis. Any reissuance of the NtK must retain the original PCN reference number. Your actions indicate an attempt to reset the statutory timeline to hide your previous failures to comply with PoFA.

I demand a full explanation for:

• Why a new PCN reference has been issued.

• Why the original PCN reference was not retained in any further correspondence.

This kind of procedural abuse is unacceptable and will form part of my formal complaints to the BPA and DVLA.

3. Misuse of My Personal Data – GDPR Breach

Your failure to use my correct address constitutes a breach of Article 5 of the UK GDPR, which requires personal data to be accurate and up to date. Your misuse of my data has caused significant distress and inconvenience.

I hereby demand compensation of £200 for this GDPR breach, covering the time, effort, and distress caused by your procedural failings.

If this matter is not resolved to my satisfaction, I will report Horizon Parking to the ICO for mishandling my personal data and I retain my right to sue for the compensation under the Data Protection Act 2018 should you not make payment.

4. Requirement for Immediate Resolution

I expect the following actions within 14 days:

• Immediate cancellation of this PCN.

• A written apology acknowledging Horizon Parking’s procedural errors and false statements.

• Confirmation that my personal data has been rectified and the incorrect address erased.

• A compensation offer for the GDPR breach.

Failure to provide a full and satisfactory response will result in immediate escalation to the BPA, DVLA, and ICO. I will not tolerate further attempts to shirk responsibility or engage in procedural abuse.

Yours sincerely

[Your Full Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Contact Information]

You could SAR them. It may reveal something but I doubt it.

The fact that you have not received a reply 4 working days after sending an email is not unusual. You certainly shouldn't call them.

It won't show up on the government website, it's an invoice from a private company.

How do I check to know if it has been cancelled?

By waiting for a response! The email you sent them said you expected them to take action within 14 days, you can't then be surprised to not have received a response after just 6 days.