Reading between the lines, I guess that you have a different sort of personality to jrichards. If you tend to worry about this sort of thing then we should all encourage each other to 'stonewall' (do nothing). If you don't mind a fight, go for it at your own risk but don't drag less aggressive people into it.

Hi, I'm in the same situation as you and have had the full range of letters from CEL/Newlyn/etc.. I wouldn't bother with contacting these firms - they don't listen to reason!!! JRichards stand firm, don't do anything, file those letters away under the stairs, line your drawers with them, put them under the cat litter, anything but write back to this faceless, unaccountable and unethical company/companies. They will eventually leave you alone.

I agree utterly and completely with Steephill. This is extortion by another name. We are adult, reasonably intelligent people and yet these 'car parking control' firms insult us by assuming that we would handover £60+ for occupying a small patch of ground. We were not blocking the highway or preventing the landowner from doing something more ethically productive with their land, just there for merely minutes! Perhaps, our criticism shouldn't just be for CEL and all its minions but also the private landowners who employ this sort of shoddy company (in my opinion) in the first place.

Yes, the first thing I did. This is the reply I received from Rachel Hawkins, Contract Notice Processor at MK Council. "Please be advised that we have researched the company Civil Enforcement Ltd and found that they are part of the same company Creative Car parks Limited (www.creativecarpark.co.uk Tel: 0870 9198000). They are contracted by Broadoak Management Limited to enforce at the Ramada Encore Hotel, Milton Keynes. As this is privately owned land Milton Keynes Council have no jurisdiction over the enforcement of the area, this falls directly with the owners of the land. I can only suggest that you contact Civil Enforcement Ltd under separate cover. Trading Standards have investigated these companies and there is no indication that they are operating a [problem]. They have also inspected their notices which are clear and visible. The terms and conditions are fair and comply with the relevant UK regulations and they advise any motorist who has breached the restrictions to pay within the 14 days to avoid paying the full amount of £150.00." She also sent me a piece from Trading Standards re: parking on private land which doesn't say a lot other than how to appeal and to contact your MP if you think it is unfair. Whether these companies are acting within the law or not, slapping a £150 penalty on to anybody should be universally considered as greedy and extortionate. I've had 2 letters so far and will continue to ignore them, I'll consider writing to our MP though, as like you found - it's not obvious that it is a private car park, no-one else charges after 6pm and the signs are not clearly visible in all weathers.

The area near the Hub is opposite sideof the road to Sainsburys and is in front of the Vizion development. It looks like any of MK's parking areas, the signs are obscure and I think if I was the owner of this private land, I would not employ a despicable, [causing problems] company like CEL to extort money out of unsuspecting visitors. At least they won't get any money from me.

Another thing I didn't mention before was that there was no parking ticket stuck on the car when the 'offence' was supposed to have happened - has that got any legal relevance? (Car park near the Hub, MK) Also I tried in vain to see if I could contact CEL, a Liverpool address was given. I tried a few numbers and spoke to a business centre that forwards their post but definitely no phone calls, they said that CEL had moved premises, which also backs up the previous posting about CEL behaving like thieving, [causing problems] toe-rags! Where's Ann Robinson when you need her? Anyway I shall keep my cool as some of you have suggested and not do anything but send that template letter.

Hi, I'm another first-timer, I've been sent a PARKING CONTRAVENTION Enforcement Notice with demands for £150. I'm going to try using Rob S's excellent letter template (2007) and see how I go. Thanks to whoever set up this website, just hope the enemy hasn't caught on!