Hello all - I had some brilliant help on the PePiPoo forums a few years back, and now that has gone, I'm hoping that I can find help here.
I've just received the attached from NSGL regarding an alleged parking contravention at the University of Gloucestershire. The driver was attending an event with a child, the event was being run by a local development company called 'Golden Valley' alongside the University of Gloucestershire. I don't have a ticket to show for this event as it was fully booked, however, I have texts on messenger from somebody at the development company telling me they'd put my name on the door and we could attend. On arrival at the event the driver specifically asked the receptionist about parking and whether they were okay to park in the car park. The lady advised the driver that the "system was turned off" and it was fine to park.
I realise this is a slightly unusual situation, and so (with substantial help from ChatGPT) I have drafted the following. Please could you guys cast your expert eyes over it in light of the information above, and let me know if this is okay or if I should make any changes. Thank you very much in advance for your help with this, it will be much appreciated!
(My apologies, but I don't have any images showing the signage in the car park as we live quite a long way away from there.)
Dear NSGL Parking,
I am writing as the registered keeper of vehicle XXXXXXXX in relation to the above Parking Charge Notice.
The driver of the vehicle was attending an event at Gloucestershire College, arranged by Golden Valley, on the evening of 25th March 2025. Upon arrival, the driver specifically enquired at reception about parking arrangements and was informed by the receptionist that the parking system was not in operation and that parking was permitted for the event. The driver acted in good faith based on this assurance by a representative of the landholder.
As such, there was no intention to breach any parking terms, and indeed, no contract can be formed when permission to park was explicitly granted by site staff.
I request that this charge be cancelled immediately on the basis of:
– Lack of clear and enforceable contract
– Reasonable reliance on direct instruction from an authorised representative
– Failure to meet keeper liability under POFA 2012
Please consider this a formal appeal. Kindly confirm cancellation or provide a POPLA code for escalation.
Yours faithfully,
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Before we advise anything, show us both sides of the Notice to Keeper received. You can redact your personal info and the PCN number but you just leave all dates and times visible.
Have you approached the University to request that they tell their agent to cancel the PCN? That should be your Plan A.
READ THIS FIRST - Private Parking Charges Forum guide
Which campus were you at? I probably can get pictures of the signs if you need them
@b789 Thank you so much for your reply. The front page of the Charge Notice was on my OP, and the second page is now attached to this one. I've not complained to the university yet - if you think that is the best port of call, I can do that, but it'd be hard to do so without identifying myself, if that'd be an issue later.....?
@ disgruntchelt Thanks loads re the offer on signage - I'll keep that in mind, it's v kind of you!
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@b789 Thank you so much for your reply. The front page of the Charge Notice was on my OP, and the second page is now attached to this one. I've not complained to the university yet - if you think that is the best port of call, I can do that, but it'd be hard to do so without identifying myself, if that'd be an issue later.....?
@ disgruntchelt Thanks loads re the offer on signage - I'll keep that in mind, it's v kind of you!
Complaining to the landowner is always the best course of action. Especially in a case where representatives of the landowner specifically told you it was okay to park.
You can identify yourself as the keeper of a vehicle being pursued for a parking charge without creating any issues down the line.
Of course you can complain to the university. You are complaining as the Keeper of the vehicle. All you need to do is refer to the driver in the third party. No "I did this or that", only "the driver did this or that".
As the Keeper you are under no legal obligation to identify the driver. The driver and the Keeper are two separate legal entities. Whilst you can one or the other or both, the unregulated private parking company cannot infer that just because you are the Keeper, therefore you must also be the driver. There is plenty of recent persuasive legal precedent to counter any argument to he contrary.
Thank you both - I've written to the University and will let you know the outcome!
I ended up contacting the people at Golden Valley who offered to sort it for me. I've had a letter from NSGL today confirming it was a mistake and apologising! Thanks everyone for taking the time to help me with this - I really appreciate the guidance!
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