Author Topic: I Park Services - Sens Close Chester 26.12.2025 - 3 mins 59 seconds  (Read 195 times)

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I'm the registered keeper and received a Parking Charge Notice from I Park Services (IPS) on Jan 3 2026, dated 30 Dec 2025, relating to Sens Close.

The driver pulled into Sens Close Car Park in Chester on Boxing Day, 26 Dec 2025.

The driver did not park but stopped to read the sign.

It was noted that it did not take cards. The driver hunted for cash but could not find any.

The driver then started to use the app, then changed their mind and then left the car park.

Time noted via ANPR: 3 minute and 59 seconds.

At no point did the driver use Sens Close for car parking purposes and therefore there was no valid contract between the driver and the car park operator.

I note with dismay a very similar case relating to an even shorter time period and IPS in Wadebridge: https://www.ftla.uk/private-parking-tickets/i-park-services-ltd-parking-charge-(2min13s)-jubilee-road-wadebridge/

A year and all that effort (and still ongoing) and for what? Insanity!

Regardless, I intend to fight it anyway and I would really appreciate any support you can provide.

Hope these links work ok to show a scan of the letter received and of the car park sign:

PCN Page 1: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A3Wh_qY1nSSeWsmuCJ858y-BiaQUvZbc/view?usp=drive_link
PCN Page 2: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vx8FFYRuHaJbBQ_OJyCyIQhQ_kkEUJ4P/view?usp=drive_link
PCN Page 3: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1819mBKBpcIz4lidCVABEuv3Ak3lkOICe/view?usp=drive_link
Sens Close sign: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g9G_ZCiBNWWbsYCJ8oFOx_CyRv3IMnJn/view?usp=drive_link

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Re: I Park Services - Sens Close Chester 26.12.2025 - 3 mins 59 seconds
« Reply #1 on: »
Don't worry - You will not be paying a penny.

You are well within the period of contractual consideration which is set out in the Code of Conduct.

Also, the photos on the NtK clearly don't show any period of parking but in fact simply show an ANPR entry and exit - the two things are not one in the same.

Wait for an appeal wording.

Re: I Park Services - Sens Close Chester 26.12.2025 - 3 mins 59 seconds
« Reply #2 on: »
Thank you.
I think there's a single point of appeal here - the "grace period".
On the IParkServices (IPS) site, when I logged in to lodge an appeal or pay, I saw they have logged 16 images from their two ANPR cameras at this site, and that shows the driver's exact movements.
I don't think any of this detail is relevant to the argument, but it's here for context and the extra images have helped the driver recall his exact movements at the time (it was less than 4 minutes, not exactly memorable or significant at the time).

The driver entered the car park to go and see his brother in the flats opposite. He parked in a bay (the images show this), normal practice for Pay&Display, got out to read the sign on the far wall for how much it was and how to pay. He didn't have any cash so the other option is the mobile pay app. He started to use that, then saw that the residents' car park - which he is entitled to use as a visitor to the flats - had a space. He walked over to this car park (about 30 yards, literally the far corner of this car park - it's not a big space) to get a better view (the images show this). The residents car park is small, six spaces, surrounded by low walls. Satisfied the space was good for his car, he got back in the car and left the car park, and parked in the residents' car park instead.

So - he entered the car park, took actions to pay, then changed his mind and left.

My understanding is that the "consideration period" is just that - a period for consideration. The driver considered the option to park and decided against it.

I hope this doesn't work against the appeal, I don't think it does.

I have since learned that IPS have history with this car park in Chester. The NHS sold the land next to a medical clinic and the new landowner (some anonymous property-dealing types) obviously invited IPS to run the car park. They're sending these bills to people who are driving into their car park to access the clinic to drop off patients. Someone has already shared their story with the local newspaper. Taxi drivers have also been done. The clinic is telling people to park on double-yellows just outside the car park instead. In short, IPS don't give a damn about consideration or anything else - they're MO is to bully people into paying money.

I don't want to pay them a bean.

I also want to bring them down, but that's for another thread.

Thank you for your help - it's much appreciated.

Re: I Park Services - Sens Close Chester 26.12.2025 - 3 mins 59 seconds
« Reply #3 on: »
Wait to see what others say before sending an appeal.

But yes, the 'consideration period' (rather than 'grace period') could well be the best angle here as the drivers actions appear to demonstrate that he / she was only ever considering the offer of contract.

I'd avoid using the wording, 'changed his mind', as this could imply that he initially accepted contract and then tried to back out - better to simply stick to the fact that the driver was considering his options and decided to leave well withing the code of conduct stated consideration period of five minutes.

IPS will almost certainly come up with some subjective blurb which excuses their failure to follow the code of conduct in this matter.

As you have stated, this is clearly a fly-trap site and this is why they have such a high degree of coverage in terms of CCTV etc.

Re: I Park Services - Sens Close Chester 26.12.2025 - 3 mins 59 seconds
« Reply #4 on: »
I Park have form for this, as you have discovered. Their usual ploy is to claim that the consideration period can be disregarded because the driver accepted the contract by conduct (this can happen, but from your description of events certainly didn't in this case).

Draft something up by means of appeal and show us before you submit anything.

Re: I Park Services - Sens Close Chester 26.12.2025 - 3 mins 59 seconds
« Reply #5 on: »
Thank you.
I'll keep it simple and direct (and steal from the suggested reply in the IPS/Wadebridge case), since I know this is just the start of the merry dance!

Dear Sirs

I have received your Notice to Keeper (Ref #: ________) for vehicle registration ____ ___, in which you allege the driver has incurred a parking charge. I am appealing as the registered keeper on the basis that no consideration period was offered.

Section 5.1 of the private parking sector single Code of Practice, which the IPC states must be followed, states that "Where a parking operator assumes a vehicle is parked based on time alone they must allow a consideration period of appropriate duration". Annex B of the Code of Practice specifies that in a car park for which a tariff is due (pay and display), this consideration period must be a minimum of 5 minutes.

As per your own ANPR evidence, the vehicle was on site for 3 minutes 59 seconds, far less than the minimum consideration period. As such, the charge must be cancelled.

In addition, Schedule 7 of the IPC's Code of Practice 13.1 states, “The parking operator must allow a consideration period of appropriate duration, subject to the requirements set out in Schedule 7.” Under Schedule 7, 13.1.3 states: “The consideration period ends at the point where there is evidence that the driver has, by parking, accepted the terms, conditions and restrictions applying (whether or not they have chosen to read them) which may be evidenced by the driver parking the vehicle and leaving the premises, paying the applicable parking tariff, or turning off the ignition of the vehicle and remaining stationary for more than 5 minute.”

Again, and as per your own ANPR evidence, the vehicle was on site for 3 minutes 59 seconds, far less than the minimum consideration period. As such, the charge must be cancelled.

I look forward to your confirmation that the charge has been cancelled and that my personal data has been removed from your records.

Yours,

Re: I Park Services - Sens Close Chester 26.12.2025 - 3 mins 59 seconds
« Reply #6 on: »
Sorry, I know you guys are flat out and you do this out of the goodness of your sense of injustice.

Is the reply above ok to send? I know they will reject it so I just want to move the process on as fast as I can.

Thank you.

Re: I Park Services - Sens Close Chester 26.12.2025 - 3 mins 59 seconds
« Reply #7 on: »
If you're already referencing the current Private Parking Sector Single Code of Practice then I'm not sure there's any need to mention the old IPC Code of Practice.

Re: I Park Services - Sens Close Chester 26.12.2025 - 3 mins 59 seconds
« Reply #8 on: »
Looks pretty good to me, to the point but referencing the appropriate sources to back up your assertions. The only thing I might add to make it clear beyond doubt is that as the driver left within the consideration period no contract can reasonably considered to have been entered into and on that basis they had no grounds to send the PCN.

You have strong grounds for the appeal to be upheld but with an IPC company who knows.