Free Traffic Legal Advice

Wanted to lodge an informal appeal via their website - glad of any comments before I do:

---

Dear Horizon,
The driver (aged 73) suffered a COPD attack upon entering the Store so went to the Tesco Café until they felt well enough to start the weekly shop (receipts available).
As the driver has been shopping at Tesco for very many weeks for years with never a parking issue, please consider revoking this.

---

FYI
I here is the [redacted] letter they sent:

Why on earth have you reacted the ANPR entry/exit times? For what possible reason do you think that is necessary?

I read on a parking forum that the private parking companies can see through the anonymity if specific details are exposed so 'vagueify' where practical.
If they see, for example, 13:28:15 and 16:58:12 as times of entry and exit that uniquely identifies the transaction and they can use the forum comments in court. Including an admission of being the driver. As it didn't seem material, even if the risk is imaginary, I didn't think it'd harm advice by redacting.

---

As the Notice to Keeper (NtK) is PoFA compliant, up to an arguable point, the drivers identity is not particularly relevant in this case. What relationship are you to the Keeper of the vehicle?

I am the driver.

---

Hat have you done about Plan A?

I went to Tesco customer service with the letter and asked for the manager - two people appeared and told me it's a private contractor they have no control over and suggested I approach them. They may have added the word 'first' I could not be sure.

---

So Plan A is an informal appeal to the contractor within the 28 days. As some advice seems to say it's a waste of time, I put up the post here in case anyone is kind enough to help. I have read a lot of the superb help and advice given freely by so many here - it's awesome. Thank you so much for the text - I'll wait a short while in case anyone else wants to comment then use it and report back.

Is the driver registered disabled and do they have a Blue Badge?

I am not registered disabled or have a blue badge. I use inhalers for the COPD but am nevertheless prone to attack.

So I couldn't find mention of 'Plan A' (being email the CEO) so I used the text kindly offered by b789.
I suppose I can ask my doctor to confirm my illness - I can also make a screenshot from the NHS app
I have, amazingly, still got the Tesco receipt from the Café where I went (to rest whilst I got my breath back) and the one for my shopping.
I note b789's comments that asking Horizon is a waste of time.
What is the best next step please?

Appeal submitted:
--------------
Dear Horizon,

I am writing in response to the Notice to Keeper. The driver, aged 73, experienced a sudden COPD exacerbation upon arrival at the location and sought refuge in the Tesco café until they felt well enough to begin their weekly shop. This was a medical necessity, not a discretionary delay. Receipts are available to confirm the visit.

COPD is a progressive condition recognised under the Equality Act 2010 when it substantially affects daily activities. The driver’s episode meets this threshold. As such, the Equality Act requires reasonable adjustments — including leniency in time-based enforcement where disability-related delays occur.

The driver has shopped at Tesco weekly for years without issue. This incident was exceptional and health-related. I respectfully request cancellation of the charge on grounds of disability-related mitigation and long-standing custom.

Yours sincerely,
--------------

Horizon Parking refused me:
--------------- email from Horizon Parking --------------------
On Thu, 27 Nov 2025 at 15:01, Horizon Parking Portal <noreply@horizonparkingportal.co.uk> wrote:
27th November 202515:00

Parking Charge Reference HPxxxxxx
Vehicle Registration Number  VOxxaaa
Breach of Terms and Conditions Exceeded Maximum Stay Period ANPR
Date and Time of Breach 6th October 202503:28 PM
Location Name Tesco Lea Valley Extra (3333)
POPLA Code  nnnnnnnnnn
Date of this Correspondence 27th November 2025

27th November 2025

Dear Appellant,

Parking Charge:HPxxxxxx

Thank you for your recent correspondence concerning the above-referenced Parking Charge.

Review of your Appeal

The Parking Charge was issued lawfully and in full and proper accordance with the Private Parking Sector Single Code of Practice issued by the British Parking Association (the ‘BPA’).

There are signs located at the entrance to, and within the car park, that state the terms and conditions that apply when parking.

One of the terms and conditions is that vehicles must not exceed the maximum stay period allowed. As this vehicle was found to be parked longer than the maximum period allowed, a Parking Charge was correctly issued.

The signs throughout the car park are clear and comply fully with the BPA’s prescribed rules and regulations.  When parking on private land, it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure they adhere to the terms and conditions of the car park concerned.

Given the above, and whilst we have considered your representations carefully, on this occasion your appeal has been rejected, although please see the paragraph below regarding further evidence, receipt of which may enable us to review your case further.

Further Evidence
Although we have rejected your appeal, we would be happy to review the status of your appeal should supporting evidence be provided.

We therefore require you to send us a copy of the front and back of your disabled badge to support your claim, allowing us to assess your appeal accordingly. If you are not a Blue Badge holder, please submit alternative proof of your disability so we can further consider your appeal.

You may also send us a copy of your dated receipts, or any other evidence (bank, credit or Clubcard statement) which would support your claim that you were shopping in Tesco, so that we may assess your appeal accordingly.

To submit the requested evidence, you can do so by resubmitting the appeal form available on our website, Horizon Parking Portal or write to us at Horizon Parking Ltd, Finitor House, 2 Hanbury Road, Chelmsford, CM1 3AE.

Until we receive this important evidence, please be advised that the Parking Charge will remain outstanding. However, in good faith, we will hold the current charge rate for an additional 14 calendar days to allow you sufficient time to compile and send the information we require. Once received, we will review the matter further and respond to you accordingly.

We look forward to receiving the above information so we may further consider the Parking Charge for you. Please be aware that Horizon must reserve its rights to pursue the Charge if the evidence requested is not received within the next 14 calendar days.

The Charge Amount and Methods of Payment

In good faith, Horizon will hold the charge at the lower amount of £40 for a further 14 days from the date of this correspondence to allow you further time to pay.

Payment of the outstanding charge can be made using our 24-hour payment line: 020 8106 0789 or online at Horizon Parking Portal 

Alternatively, payment can be made via cheque made payable to Horizon Parking Ltd and posted to Horizon Parking Ltd, Finitor House, 2 Hanbury Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3AE.

Additional Types of Appeal

If you have no evidence that you wish to submit to us, then you have now reached the end of our appeals procedure. Although we have rejected your appeal, the Parking On Private Land Appeals (POPLA) provides an independent appeals service. To use this service, you must appeal to POPLA within 28 days of the date of this correspondence.

For full instructions on how to appeal to POPLA, please visit their website at www.popla.co.uk. If you would rather progress this matter by post, please contact our Appeals Office and we will send you the necessary paperwork.

Your POPLA reference number is nnnnnnnnnn

Please be advised that if you elect for independent arbitration of your case, you will be required to pay the charge at the full amount and, as such, will no longer qualify for payment at the reduced rate. Please also be advised that POPLA will not accept an appeal where payment is made against the Parking Charge in question.

We are required by law to inform you that Ombudsman Services (www.ombudsman-services.org/) provides an alternative dispute resolution service that would be competent to deal with your appeal; however, Horizon has not chosen to participate in their alternative dispute resolution service. As such, should you wish to appeal, then you must do so to POPLA as explained above.

Yours sincerely,
Appeals Department
Horizon Parking
------------------------------------------------------------------

Will do, thanks!