Thread: PCN after just 3min of obs

Hello,

I have quite a problem... I have pcn stating that my car was beeing observed for 3min.
I went to Council asking what to do with it and that I think its not fair that I only had that little time, and have been asked to fill out some form and I just got the answear saying that they "noted" my comments but I still have to pay PCN.
I got it in Hounslow, when I've sent e-mail to Hounslow Council asking how much time do I have from the moment of parking to the moment when officer can give me a PCN, and I said that in parking attendant handbook it says that I have 5 minutes,
In reply I've been told that pahandbook is only a guideance and not a law, and that quote " the only time available is to get out of the car, walk to the machine, insert the coins and return and display the pay and display ticket."

I managed to find lip - Local Implementation Plan from july 2007 in which it clearly states that observation time is 5minutes.
I am pretty confused now and don't know what to do, please help.

Thank you

What was the contravention given on the pcn?

contravention code 83
I was on a phone with council today and asked what is the observation time and have been told that its 5 minutes
I have just checked the Hounslow lip and it clearly states that observation time is minimum 10 minutes.

So - on a phone they say its 5 min, in response to my e-mail they said there is no minimum observation time, and in a LIP it says its minimum of 10 minutes.

Its confusing, what now??

Originally Posted by AdoTornado

contravention code 83
I was on a phone with council today and asked what is the observation time and have been told that its 5 minutes
I have just checked the Hounslow lip and it clearly states that observation time is minimum 10 minutes.

So - on a phone they say its 5 min, in response to my e-mail they said there is no minimum observation time, and in a LIP it says its minimum of 10 minutes.

Its confusing, what now??

If you bought a ticket it would show roughly the same time as the pcn and the Council should allow time for you to go to the machine. If you didn't buy a ticket and just thought you would get away without buying one you haven't really got a leg to stand on there is no free parking time allowed in car parks.

I never bought a ticket - in all fairness this is my fault because I was late...
still, if the mistake would be on my side they would not hasitate and use it to make me pay, so why shouldn't I use the fact that they made a mistake?

maybe its just a bit too honest but thats what I think

Without a ticket you are on to a loser in my opinion. No set time is usually given for observation its usually down to the area where you parked and common sense. A CEO is usually instructed just to wait long enough to allow you to go to the machine and return. Obviously this would vary if there was only one machine and you parked a few feet away why would a CEO wait ten minutes? The CEO may have on this occasion already seen your car checked the rest of the car park and then decided to issue a pcn.

thanks for advice, I appreciate it