Parking Charges in NHS Car Park

[Fenris]

Hi all,

 

Sorry for posting a new topic. I know this has been posted before so I apologise in advance if I'm re-hashing an old subject. I've also looked at the sticky, but I've already contacted the company who issued the ticket so I'd just like a little guidance.

 

OK, a few weeks ago I had an appointemt at my local hospital for a pre-op assessment. This took place in a small department which is in a building seperate from the main hospital. It's a day surgery ward in it's own small building. There is a car park attached to the unit, which is where I parked. I did not see any signs saying it was staff only, which is where the problem begins. There were a few cars in this car park, but it was by no means full. I parked at the very end and, on walking back towards the unit, I checked in some cars to see if I should "pay and display". I couldn't see any tickets so I made the (apparently wong) assumption that it was free for the use of day surgery users. I was in the unit for 30 minutes, tops.

 

When I returned to my car I found a FPN for £80 (£40 if paid within 14 days) stuck to my windscreen. Some jobsworth had scralled something illedgable on the printed ticket which I *think* says I parked in a doctors space. Well, since there were no signs saying it was Mr. So-and-so's space, how on Earth was I supposed to know this?! Oh, and this ticket had been issued a mere 12 minutes after leaving my car!

 

Anyway, I was going to ignore it, but these things tend to prey on my mind so I wrote to them and explained I'd only been there half an hour max. and that I thought £80 was an excessive charge for a minor infringment. I also said that I could not see any signs that said it was a staff only parking lot. I did offer to pay the standard £2.50 charge, however, as my "goodwill gesture" (as everyone I ask money back from always says!).

 

Well, today I received a letter back saying that they'd contacted the hospital in question (which I very much doubt!) and that they were not going to waive the fee and that I should now pay the £40 within 14 days. They say if I don't pay they'll take me to Court. I'm not easily scared by these kinds of threats as 9 out of 10 times it's just all wind and puff!

 

That said, I'd rather settle this amicably than end up in Court; I've better things to do than hang around in a stuffy waiting room!

 

Even if I wanted to pay the fine (which, on principle I don't) I couldn't afford to, being that I'm on low income and £40 takes up four fifths of my weekly benefit. I would have thought that, having issued a ticket on an H reg banger, they'd have noticed that I'm not exactly flushed with success in the financial sense!

 

Obviously I can't now ignore it as they have my name and address.

 

What would those in the know recommend I do now? I'd appreciate any constructive advice.

 

Many thanks,

Fenris.

[crem]

 

Obviously I can't now ignore it as they have my name and address.

 

 

Yes you can, and should. It is never too late to start to ignore. Even if you hadn't given them your address, the would only have to pay £2.50 to the DVLA to get it, so all you have don is save them the £2.50.

 

btw it is not an FPN which can only be issued by the police. To call it such only adds creedance to their INVOICING

[Guest Old_andrew2018]

I would advise that you send a PM asking for advice to a forum contributer for expertise such as bernie the bolt, or clem please include to your thread.

 

Sorry Clem you beat me to it

[lamma]

Does it say "Fixed Penalty Notice" on the invoice or the envelope ? if it does and its a PPC (likely) then they are stuffed. and committing Fraud and breaking the 2008 Consumer Regulations.

[Fenris]

Thanks for the advice crem. Yes, you're right, it's not a FPN (goes to show even those of us who *think* we know what we're talking about can become confused by these rouges! Lol!) it is a a Parking Charge, according to the letter received today.

 

So, basically, I should just leave them to it then and not bother sending any of the letters in the stickies?

 

Fenris.

[Al27]

Nope, don't contact them. Ignore all the junkmail you'll receive.

[lamma]

Does it say "Fixed Penalty Notice" on the initial invoice/ticket/'PCN' that was put on the car or the envelope containing it that was attached to the vehicle ?

[Fenris]

lamma: no, it doesn't. It was just my assumption that it was such. The company, for reference, is County Parking, based in Northamptonshire. I've never heard of them! That said, I've never had a parking ticket before! Lol!

[Al27]

Legal term is 'unenforceable invoice'

[Guest Old_andrew2018]

You could scan the notice and letter after first removing peronally identifiable info and up-load it, then the experts can tell you what they think.

However all such notices are made to look offical to catch out people, and they do just that in somecases.

[Fenris]

I like the "unenforceable" part of of that sentance Al27!

 

old andrew2007, that's an idea. I'm actually out tomorrow and tonight's a bit late so I'll do that over the weekend.

 

Thanks to all for the advice and the support so I don't have to worry about it anymore!

[letshelp]

Thanks to all for the advice and the support so I don't have to worry about it anymore!

 

No.

regards

[Fenris]

Just a quick update on this. I've been getting a few letters trickling through and am now up to the "Debt Collection/Welfare (yeah, like they give a stuff about people's welfare!) Warning". Ooooh, so scared! Apparently I'm now occuring a £10 charge (another one!) and it'll be passed onto their debt collection agency (bloke at the next desk?) if I don't pay up. Botheration! That'll cause me so many sleepless nights! Lol!

[crem]

**Sends Fenris some sleeping pills**

[Fenris]

Heh heh, thanks crem!

[pin1onu]

**Sends Fenris some sleeping pills**

Careful Crem, you'll be done for drug dealing.......

[letshelp]

Careful Crem, you'll be done for drug dealing.......

Sends Crem invoice for £100 for drug dealing, reduces to £50 if paid within 7 days or will send scary PM's if ignored, may even be in Very scary red.

regards:grin:

[crem]

I'm not worried. The drugs are run through a shell company registered in the Baharmas. If anyone gets too close I'll just fold it and create a new one.

 

I learnt my business model by studying the PPCs

[Fenris]

The drugs are run through a shell company registered in the Baharmas.

 

How did you find me?!

[Fenris]

Well, a quick update. I've heard no more from my lovely friends at Country Parking since the begining of September. I wonder if this is at an end now? How long do these things usually drag on for, does anyone know?

[asmodeus]

Between 2 and 4 from the PPC, 1 or 2 from the DC and a further 2 from the solicitor - the latest one (courtesy of a family member) has taken 4 months to go through the whole process and as it is coming up to Christmas I am now awaiting them in desperation as their threat-o-grams have failed to start sending begging letters

 

You know the sort 'Children to support' 'aged parents' 'coal to buy' but there are plenty more worthy causes to spend my money on that these scumbags

[Fenris]

Well, you certainly know when people are doing their year end accounts!

 

Yes folks, I got a letter from Philips Specialist Bailiff and Recovery Agents today, saying:

 

"We write to inform you that although you have been sent previous correspondance to this Notice you have failed to satisfy arrears which remain outstanding to County Parking Enforcement Agency. Therefore we have been instucted to commence recovery procedures against you.

 

Full payment of the outstanding amounts is hereby demanded [note the use of the word demanded here!] within seven days of this notice to prevent further procedures commencing.

 

Should you be unable to pay in seven days, an installment plan may be accepted depending on your circumstances.

 

Then there's a bit about installments and their telephone number, like I'm gonna be phoning the gimps!

 

Clearly I'm just going to ignore these muppets, but thought I'd post about it here in case anyone Googled the words County Parking and Philips.

[Fenris]

OK guys, this is a little worrying now. As advised I've ignored all communications from County Parking. However, a letter's just plopped onto my mat saying:

 

We have written to you on no less than three occasions and despite Philips Collection Services also corresponding with you the above parking charge notice is still outstanding at £150.

 

The notice is now being prepared for County Court action and no further notice will be given by County Parking Enforcement Agency Ltd.

 

You will be advised of a court date by Northampton County Court in due course.

 

If they're really going to take this to Court don't they have to do it at my local Court? If they do take it to Court, how likely am I to win against these people? All the signage at the hospital has now been changed so I've got no proof anymore.

 

Any advice on this one?

[Jamberson]

Relax. You knew you were going to get more scary letters.

 

What happened? You got a scary letter.

 

That's all. All part of the game. Save the planet and put it in the recycling.

[Fenris]

Well, that's what I thought, but this one seemed a little more "professional" for want of a better word!

 

Thanks for the reassurance!