Hi there, I had a parking issue not too different from yours, in that I got a letter demanding money. To be honest its all to easy to get involved in the reasons you shouldn't pay.... bad light, poor visibility for signs, invalid mother-in-law... all that, but as I learned here, that is mostly irrelevant. They are trying to frighten you into paying and no doubt have a fair success rate. I took the general advice here and did not respond to any letters... and they got pretty involved. Red ink, lots more red ink, threats of legal action and a final demand for over £500. As I said, I ignored them and they went away. I'm not saying its easy, it can play on your mind a little and the temptation was there to respond or enter into a dialogue with them as if that might some how make things better. My mind is now easy, I have paid nothing and they went away. This forum and the advice you get helped me. I'm not saying every circumstance is the same, but it worked for mine and I have little doubt yours.

Hello there, I would just like to say that I have now been through countless letters for a parking 'fine' that escalated to over £450. The advice here is to IGNORE THEM and that's just what I did! Now my house is repossessed, I lost my car and my job. Only kidding... NOTHING HAPPENED! Despite the above being in my mind in darker moments... the letters have now stopped after a lot of red ink and in not answering I have not entered into complicated dialogues. I just want to thank this forum and to stress the advice, DO NOT RESPOND to the begging letters! It takes a little resolve and courage in some instances. And I will be sure next time to be mindful of how long and where I park, unintentionally or otherwise. Thanking you all again.

Hi again... I know I know... just need a little positivity.... Had another letter saying debt collectors could possibly reposes my car, value of goods, etc. etc... still hanging tight and ignoring... but... you know.... sounds awful to read it, resolve or not.

Thank you for that, yes, you assumptions about where and who are correct. I'll wait it out. On careful reading of the communications it does seem there is little official backing to their claims. By the way, your £140 will comfortably double with the next communication by the 'collectors'.

So, they have no power to collect this money and no way of taking this further? I really don't fancy some CCJ's against me for 17 mins of parking. At what point do I send a letter then... I mean what sort of communications from them should I expect? Thanks for the response, starting to feel a tad more confident.

This forum is great, thank you for such a positive force! I just need a bit of hand-holding here, I received a 'fine' in the post for being 17mins over in a car park in Lancaster, owned by Civil Enforcement Ltd it seems. Now I ignored the first one and indeed the second request and have now received a 'Total Outstanding' of over £200 from a 'newlyn' of Northampton, who have been instructed to recover the Parking Charge. I'm getting a little worried as this is a lot of money and I'm told that I could face further action at considerable cost and not to ignore the letter. Is it time to fire off a template letter to them? And to who, this 'newlyn' or Civil Enforcement Ltd? Sorry if this is covered a million times, I just need a little assurance... Thank you in advance.