Difficult in that the IAS have not found in your favour! It might be worth writing to the car park owner (not sure if this is someone like the National Trust, Lowther Estates, etc.) and explaining the situation, and also finding out who the MP is for the area, mailing them and copying in your local MP who has to be the one to address the issue. Send a complaint via BBC Watchdog too, and to the Westmoreland Gazette. Although these actions may not result in the charge being dropped, there are obviously real problems with the Park with Ease system that need to be addressed. Inadequate signage is a great example. Sorry I can't be of more help but good luck!!

GREAT NEWS - We won the IAS appeal!!! Thanks to all who gave advice. To anyone going through a similar process I would recommend the following: - Submit a clear and succinct summary of the facts and highlight the key points of appeal - If you have any evidence then submit it - photographs, witness statements, etc. Although I didn't have any of these I felt that my submission was a little sparse - Do everything promptly - don't forget that the appeal window is always reducing and other parties may take days to get back to you - Have faith that if you think you have been unfairly treated as a consumer, you probably have and should stand your ground - Don't forget there are other people out there who can help - Citizens Advice Bureau, the landowner, your local MP, BBC Watchdog, local councils, local press organisations and online forums ... There's often someone who has been through it and can advise, and there may be someone who has the power to stop organisations such as Park with Ease from treating people with such blatant disrespect. Good luck!!

Not sure if they belong to the BPA. I'll try and find out!! I know it's not a ticket as I've done a fair bit of reading around but thanks for pointing this out again. There is no barrier here - you can leave freely. Interesting though - if the main road is really busy and you're queuing to leave the car park, you could be charged for the privilege!!!! I like your suggestion and will mail them again today to ask for further information. Sorry - IAS - Independent Appeals Service.

Travelling in a party of 2 cars, we opted to stay for a short break in the White Moss car park operated by Parking with Ease. We were aware of the T&Cs as I actually checked on entry, and we knew we had 20 minutes free of charge. With just under 5 minutes to spare, we entered details of car 1 in the machine and were advised that no payment was necessary as we had a few minutes to spare. Car 2's details had not registered on entry however - we tried several times and ended up coming back to the second car to double check the registration (not our car so not one of those things you easily recall!). On returning to the machine we waited for another couple to complete their transaction. They had payment issues and their cash was not accepted - they ended up paying by card (eventually) and were frustrated that the trouble had taken them into the next payment bracket. ISSUE 1 - PROBLEMS WITH THE PAYMENT MACHINE CAUSING DELAYS IN PROCESSING TIME. We tried our second registration details again but to no avail. ISSUE 2 - THE CCTV HAD FAILED TO CAPTURE THE REGISTRATION DETAILS. We double checked the notice in the hope that we could call someone for advice - nothing! Satisfied that we had done our best to be honest and law abiding citizens we left. ---- I received a Parking Charge - Notice to Keeper dated 26 days later than the alleged offence, and received 3 days after the letter date (29 days after the incident). I was advised that our car (the initial car that we had entered successfully into the system) had run over by 30 seconds and that due to non-payment of parking, we were being charged £50 (£25 if paid within 14 days of the date of the letter). The charge for 20 minutes and 30 seconds would have been £2!! I called the Citizens Advice Bureau who were quite helpful and advised me to appeal. I appealed immediately, stating the facts detailed above and asking a number of questions regarding: - Whether the CCTV covers the payment machine (as the facts would be obvious to anyone viewing footage) - Details of PwE's Accredited Trade Association membership - Their policy for cases when car details have not been captured --- 5 days later an email confirmed that my appeal had been rejected on the grounds that it is a pay on exit car park and that we had overrun the 20 minute grace period. I was also advised that there is a 48 hour period to pay for parking online. A number of my other questions remained unanswered however, and I was reminded how to pay the charge online!!! Details of appealing to the IAS were also included. I was disappointed but frustrated as I really believe that in terms of a 'contract' it is PwE who have not fulfilled their part of the bargain in terms of providing the means by which to use the facilities in a fair way. As well as the 2 issues raised above - ISSUE 3 - I AM NOT TELEPATHIC AND WOULD NOT EXPECT TO HAVE TO LOG ONLINE TO CHECK FOR A PARKING CHARGE THAT I WAS UNAWARE EXISTED! --- I appealed to the IAS yesterday and am now awaiting a response. I also asked PwE for further information regarding the questions they failed to answer first time round. I have also contacted Watchdog and the Lowther Estate office who own the car park. I will be contacting the DVLA and Information Commissioner later today. --- So much for trying to do the right thing eh?! Perhaps I should invoice PwE for £50 for my time wasted!! £100 if not paid by yesterday. Any thoughts and advice welcome.

Excellent news on winning the appeal!! I've been reading your post with interest after recently being subjected to PwE's unfair and 'anything BUT easy' process. I'm in a similar situation to you and am going through the appeal process - currently escalated to the IAS. Can I ask, how long did it take for the IAS to make a decision and get back to you? It seems that Park with Ease are happy to use their technology to back up their own arguments, but are far from forthcoming when it comes to using that technology to fairly review the facts of the situation in question. I have found their emails rude, selective in their content coverage in terms of response to points raised, and the tone is quite bullying in terms of reminding you how to pay your charge. Not being able to contact them or their 'third party' by phone is obstructive and again serves in their favour as the communication process is unnecessarily drawn out and when matters are not addressed, it takes yet more emails to try and get the information initially requested. I am disappointed that the National Trust and other bodies find this system an effective way to outsource parking. Whilst the idea is good in concept, it takes an honest and trustworthy company to operate it effectively.