Please could you advise me if you know about these things.
I parked for several hours in a motorway services' car park on the way and on the way back of a long journey. It was dark when I arrived and light when I left, I looked around for signs and learnt that parking was free for two hours and I should see signs for details. I couldn't see any signs in the area that I was parked in and couldn't see a parking meter to pay. I concluded the vague sign was just to put off motorists overstaying and making the car park too busy. The facilities were good and felt safe (lone female) so I also stopped at the same place on my return journey. I called my partner to discuss my anxiety about not paying for parking and he said they may have number plate recognition and I should really check again. I found some other signs but no way of paying. There were no machines. The number on the sign had an answering machine message saying they were only open midweek office hours (it was a weekend) so to me this confirmed my first conclusion, I continued on my journey.
Subsequently I have received two parking charge notices they want a total of £120 by next week or £240 after 28 days - is their claim reasonable? Do I have grounds for appeal? What should I do?
I parked for several hours in a motorway services' car park on the way and on the way back of a long journey. It was dark when I arrived and light when I left, I looked around for signs and learnt that parking was free for two hours and I should see signs for details. I couldn't see any signs in the area that I was parked in and couldn't see a parking meter to pay. I concluded the vague sign was just to put off motorists overstaying and making the car park too busy. The facilities were good and felt safe (lone female) so I also stopped at the same place on my return journey. I called my partner to discuss my anxiety about not paying for parking and he said they may have number plate recognition and I should really check again. I found some other signs but no way of paying. There were no machines. The number on the sign had an answering machine message saying they were only open midweek office hours (it was a weekend) so to me this confirmed my first conclusion, I continued on my journey.
Subsequently I have received two parking charge notices they want a total of £120 by next week or £240 after 28 days - is their claim reasonable? Do I have grounds for appeal? What should I do?
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