MET Parking - Gatwick

[Forest-Nib]

Hello Everyone,

First time poster here, I'm normally quite submissive when it comes to PCN's etc... but I'm having a bad year and feel like Michael Douglas in 'Falling Down' so thought I'd challenge this one..


I went into the Gatwick McDonalds on the 7th September 2019, purchased some food via the drive through window, then pulled up to the car park barrier and received a ticket time stamped 15:44.

I parked, ate the food, then approached the exit barrier, whereby the barrier screen told me my ticket wasn't 'validated' therefore I had to 'Validate my ticket with a proof of purchase before leaving the car park'

This is where I fear I slipped on the banana skin they carefully laid for me... I left the car park assuming the transaction on my bank statement would prove I was using the car park as intended should I receive a PCN. Time stamp on the evidence images they have provided are 15:56.


At this stage I have not responded or acknowledged their PCN. My question to you is, should I file an appeal with my a copy of the ticket I entered the car park with (I retained that) and a copy of the transaction on my bank statement and hope for the best, or is there a better way to avoid this?

It's also worth noting as previously stated the Incident was 07/09/19, I received the letter in the post today on 30/10/19 and they've dated the latter 21/10/19 so 9 days of my 14 to challenge this are already up.

Thanks in advance,

[ostell]

Edit your post so that the identity of the driver cannot be inferred. Use "the driver..... etc.

Dear Sirs,

I have just received your Notice to Keeper xxxxx for vehicle VRM xxxx

You have failed to comply with the requirements of Schedule 4 of The Protection Of Freedoms Act 2012 namely, but not limited to, failing to deliver the notice within the relevant period of 14 days as prescribed by section 9 (4) of the Act. You cannot, therefore, transfer liability for the alleged charge from the driver at the time to me, the keeper.

There is no legal requirement to name the driver at the time and I will not be doing so.

Any further communication with me on this matter, apart from confirmation of no further action and my details being removed from your records, will be considered vexatious and harassment. This includes communication from any Debt Collection companies you care to instruct.

Yours etc

First class post with free certificate of posting from any post office