Free Traffic Legal Advice

I have been a member of the local gym for a number of years which is located within a residential development.  You are able to park provided you display a parking permit.  The permit badges changed some time ago and the old and expired one was still stuck to my window.  However, the valid and up to date one was also on display.  UKPC have issued a PCN for displaying an expired/discontinued permit.  Originally I appealed and provided evidence that i had a valid permit and had been parking in the development for years to use the gym.  I commented that the inspector must have missed the new permit on display or perhaps it fell off the windscreen - nonetheless it has been provided and i was able to park there. 

Upon appeal, they have sent a follow up letter saying they still believe the PCN should stand and offered a lower settlement charge of £20.  Although clearly less, this feels like a money grab at the last minute - i have demonstrated that i had a valid permit, it was missed by the inspector but still they want to charge me £20.  They say the appeals process is now concluded so the options are -pay £20 or head to independent adjudicator.  I also said they could check my details with the local gym for further corroboration but they didn't reply on that point.  The risk being that the fine reverts to £100 if appeal is unsuccessful.

Any comments or advice gratefully received.  Thank you.

Owner of Vehicle and Driver the same.   

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...or perhaps it fell off the windscreen

That is never something to say.  I would expect they have taken a photo of the windscreen - but they may have only taken a close up of the invalid permit and 'accidentally' not included any valid one...  A Subject Access Request for all photos might be worthwhile.

I also said they could check my details with the local gym for further corroboration but they didn't reply on that point.

Of course they won't - they aren't interested in such effort that would see them receive nothing!  In fact, you should be turning it around and getting the gym to tell them to cancel it.  (However, you might find the gym won't be interested either, possibly saying it's nothing to do with them!)

The risk being that the fine reverts to £100 if appeal is unsuccessful.

It's likely that POPLA won't assist you and the charge (not fine) will revert.  As noted, this is potentially winnable but does require some effort.

It's quite unusual for them to offer £20 (which is normally reserved for 'major keying errors') - they are seemingly aware that you were allowed to park there and perhaps just hoping you'll send them £20 to 'go away'.  Only you can decide whether it's worth £20 to bring immediate closure with minimal effort.

Unfortunately, it will eventually turn into a robo-claim for over £250.

An offence is the commitment of a crime.

This is about extracting as much money as possible from gullible people.

Not the same thing.