questions involving private parking operators

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Excel parking: how to appeal a parking charge notice — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 2007-02-15 06:38

I returned to my car from shopping to find a parking ticket issued by Excel parking. It has code 20 on it which is not parked correctly within the markings. My offside wheel was on the line with approximately 2mm of tyre over the line. It was like this because of the car next to me on the nearside being too close. I took pictures with my phone of how my car was parked and also the car on my nearside that had completely straddled the line but had no ticket. How should I defend my case?

Dents received in car parks and parking "at owner's risk" clauses — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 2007-02-07 19:52

I parked in a supermarket car park earlier this year and on returning to my car discovered a huge dent and a suspect trolley which fitted the dent perfectly. The trolleys in the trolley park were overflowing into the car park area and were not being cleared by staff. The duty manager agreed the dent was caused by trolley. I was subsequently quoted £350+VAT for repairs. I wrote to the supermarket manager as requested but they denied it was their problem as parking was "at the owner's risk". Is it worth pursuing this further?

Yet another dodgy private parking company issuing illegal tickets — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 2007-02-15 06:20

I parked at 20.00 hours on a car park in December that was privately owned. I honestly thought nothing about it until last week when I received a letter from a private parking company. It looks like a Penalty Charge Notice which was sent to me via the DVLA to my home address a letter demanding £100 as I had ignored the ticket. No ticket was placed on my car on my car at the time but if I don't pay it they say they will take me to court. The signs they rely on are from the wheelclampingcompany.co.uk, not themselves. I have checked with the Council and they say they are cowboys. What would you suggest I do?

Alleged overstay in Morrisons' car park leads to solicitor attempting to collect "fine" from regular customer — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 2007-02-02 05:45

I have received a letter from a solicitor advising they are acting on behalf of their client, CP Plus Ltd who manage a local car park for Morrison's Supermarket. They claim that my vehicle was parked in the car park for a period of 2 1/2 hours on a particular day and a Parking Charge Notice was issued and not paid. The letter now states if I do not pay the fee that they will issue court proceedings against me without further notice!! This is the first I have heard of the ticket, but I do shop at Morrisons. Can you help and advise me what will happen if I dispute and don't pay the fee?

Parking enforcement on private road — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 2007-01-31 16:29

I live at the closed in end of a private cul de sac. Can I stop people from parking outside my house? Does anyone living further up the cul-de-sac have a right to come past their house to park? And is it legal for any of their visitors to park down here? Also if it isn't possible to stop them parking, should I still have to pay any maintenance cost when the road needs repairing?

Private parking operator attempts to enforce £200 penalty parking charge — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 2007-01-31 05:56

On 13/8/2006 I took my daughter to Cardiff to watch Liverpool v Chelsea. On arrival at the allocated parking we were told that the car park was full,the police then advised me to park nearby. After the game a man was taking photos of my car and proceeded to give me a ticket. He said I had parked on private property. I told him what the police had said and that i did not realize it was private property but he insisted in giving me a ticket. I then consulted a police officer and he said not to worry about it. I have now received various letters from a company stating that I owe £200 and also that they are instructed to enforce proceedings in the County Court. I would be grateful if you could advise me on this matter as these letters are causing a lot of worry.

Parking charge imposed by private company for bridging two bays — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 2007-01-28 05:20

We received a parking ticket on 27.12.06 at a retail park. The charge certificate arrived on 24.01.07 which is dated 17.01.07. We have 14 days to pay a £40 fine or the letter says charges will be increased to £80 upwards. The ticket was issued because we parked across two spaces. There are no mother and baby/toddler spaces - extra width to open the doors fully to get children out of car seats. Also there is no signage in that section of car park. Are the parking company within their rights?

Parking Charge Notice: the registered keeper's defence — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 2007-01-23 04:52

I have just received (or my husband has received as he is the owner) a 'Parking Charge Notice' from Hexagon Parking Control for allegedly 'Parking' our car outside the exit to a shoppers' car park. After being initially bewildered by this, I recall the occasion where I had indeed been parking in the car park whilst shopping whereupon on leaving the car park my telephone rang and I pulled in to answer it as my earpiece wasn't switched on. I never left my car and kept the engine running because I was only a couple of minutes. No one came to the car to tell me to move on or issued me with a ticket, I was not obstructing anything and I had no intention of 'parking' there. Can I really be liable to pay their ticket of £120 reduced by 50% if paid in 14 days? Their 'evidence' is a photo (not date stamped) of my car showing the licence plate, and the time and date of the alleged offence shown above. Can this be enforceable?

Private parking companies: should I appeal my Parking Charge Notice through their appeals procedure? — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 2007-01-22 14:01

I recently received two parking charge notices for parking over the two hours maximum limit in a shopping precinct controlled by a private company. The incidents were in October and November last year. No notice was left on the car at the time and no parking warden was in attendance. So the notices were the first I knew about the alleged offences. Can I appeal?

More dodgy parking practices from Excel Parking Services Ltd — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 2007-01-22 11:47

I went into Chesterfield and parked in a car park where I know that I am entitled to one hour free parking there. I came back to my car within the hour to find a parking attendant writing out a ticket. On examining the ticket I noticed he had written my arrival down as 10-15, when in fact I had not arrived at the car park until 10.39. I explained to the attendant that it was impossible for me to have got to the car park for 10.15, as I hadn’t even left my house at that time. I had also called at a petrol station on my way and have a receipt for my petrol, which shows I was at the petrol station at 10.24. He was adamant that he had seen me arrive at 10.15. and would not back down from this claiming that he had my car on film - which he later admitted was not true. The attendant seemed quite happy that it would be his word against mine, and that his word would be taken over mine, even though I could prove I was elsewhere at the time. IO appealed the ticket to the company Excel Parking Services of Sheffield five months ago and have received a letter saying my appeal has failed and I must pay £40 in six days or pay £100 in court. Can you advise?

Parking Charge Notice issued by private car park operator in supermarket car park: Do I have to pay? — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 2007-01-30 10:20

I have received a Parking Charge Notice for shopping and parking at Lidls only to be slapped with a fine for £75.00. I shopped at the supermarket on two separate occasion almost 7 hours apart. Their policy states that shop and park for an hour and no returns with 3 hours. I have tried to dispute this claim. I told them to review all their CCTV footage for my evidence. They then told me that they hold no records of vehicle movement between these times and unfortunately I am not able to find my receipts to show and I paid in cash at the time. Is there anything I can do to get this charge dropped? I am really disappointed that a legitimate customer can be treated in this manner.