Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi everyone, looking for advice about a Civil Enforcement Ltd PCN / Letter Before Claim for Leen Gate Convenience / QMC area, Nottingham.
NG7 2LX.
The driver was attending a baby hospital appointment and first entered/parked in the first parking area/bay near Leen Gate. They tried for around 10–15 minutes to pay, including trying the machine/app, but the machine/payment system wasn’t working properly. The area/bay also seemed uneven/damaged and it was stressful because of the appointment.

Someone in orange hi-vis nearby said the machines there don’t work and advised using the next parking area the entrance of all those parking areas is same. The driver then moved to the next bay/area, P2 Leen Gate, and paid there. they have proof of that payment.

CEL are now chasing £170. Also moved address so I missed the original letters and only received this at my new address. My V5C/logbook had not been updated straight away, but I have now applied to update it.

Has anyone dealt with CEL at this exact Leen Gate/QMC location where there are different car parks/machines close together? What are the best next steps.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

This is also a known issue: https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/honest-mans-heartbreak-120-parking-8944721

PCN: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a_CccLwKHOwD2V3HuaOSjJwZjhP54vPY/view?usp=sharing

Map image: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZptP6GNcCvAZx8ibN0PoRg-ocxJN1Z43/view?usp=drive_link

You need to send a data rectification notice with your new address to CEL instructing them to update your address for service, and  to erase any old addresses they hold.  If they have your old address there's a risk they will issue the court claim there and you may end up with a default judgement.

Presumably this PCN relates to the first car park?

Currently your options are pay, or wait for them to issue a court claim and defend it.

On the face of it you have a defence on the basis of frustration of contract in that you were unable to pay.

If you also send a Subject Access Request to CEL asking for all the data they hold on you it should include a copy of the PCN, which may reveal further defence points as registered keeper. Do not identify the driver, even obliquely e.g. by saying 'I did'.