Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hello,

I received a parking penalty at an Aldi store. The issue is that I entered the car park after closing hours, and was looking for a way to pay/avoid a parking charge. Unfortunately, the screens to register number plates are located in store, so there was method for me to register or pay for my stay.

Unlike other car parks, there was no indication that the car park closes at a certain time, which leaves anyone entering the car park automatically at fault. 

 
Please see the letter below. And pictures from the site. I'd appreciate your insight on whether this can be argued.

Hi RichardW, you are correct.

Unfortunately, it was sent to another registered driver on the vehicle who has only recently notified me.

I will still attempt an appeal via the site and email as there's no harm in trying I guess.

If it's not addressed to you, you can't appeal it. The person who received the PCN needs to appeal or name you as the driver and transfer liability to you.

The signs are fairly clear the car park is for customer use therefore as you can't be a customer if the store isn't open you'd be breaching the terms. Not to mention the point about needing to register. Many car parks have no way to 'pay' and you get 5 minutes to get in, read the signs and leave, that's the consideration period which given Aldi car parks aren't big and was likely empty at that time of night should have been enough time.

You haven't shown us the back of the PCN although I suspect it is POFA compliant, it was given in the correct time frame and I've noticed they've changed the wording g to invite the keeper to pay.

Either way at this point not your problem unless the keeper tells them you were driving, then the for appeals resets. In that case you will need a stronger defence than I tried to payo but couldnt. Looks like a building site on GSV so I suspect a new store with lots of shiny new signage. You can even see the signs warning new rules in place in your photos.