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I received a parking charge notice on my car last June. I had parked in a local non manned train car park apparently owned by Centro. Parking is free and I did think without restrictions. However, on my return at 8pm the penalty was on my windscreen. Signs had apparently gone up before to say that you must park in a bay etc and i had parked not on any hatched area but in an unmarked space which wasn't blocking anyone in. Myself and others have always struggled to park in this car park as it is so busy, having parked up on grass verges or the kerb at some point. I didn't want to park on the main road outside the exit as there is a sharp bend on one side and then the other way is the hump back bridge over the railway so this is far too dangerous to use. I didn't see the new rules on the signs as I hadn't parked there for probably over 9 months and if i had looked at the signs I probably wouldn't have thought the rules had changed, the heading was park and ride though it did have other information on it.
On the morning in question I couldn't find any parking spaces at all at 9.30am, all had been taken by commuters I imagine. The following day, unusually I had to make the same journey but at approx 11am and there was only one space remaining which i took. On my return 2 1/2 hours later, i drove around the car park specifically to check for spaces and there were none!
The car park is getting busier and busier due to another 3 housing estates having been built nearby and there is inadequate parking provision. There was a survey done last March in the said car park consulting with commuters and a plan is in the pipeline to provide another 241 spaces. My local councillor has said that this will not be for another 12 months or so and they had provided more disabled spaces before, a total of 9, but there are too many and are not fully utilised.
So, i was charged 60 pounds initially then after 28 days it went to 100 pounds. I have had 3 or 4 letters before Christmas from Vehicle Control Services saying they would pass my debt on if i didn't pay 160.00. I have now received a letter from BW Legal in Leeds which I have since learnt is a glorified debt collector. They are saying I will have to pay costs if it goes to court should I not pay, a total now of 239.34. The thing is, twice in their letter it states 'pay by' and it is left blank!
I feel like I should offer the initial 60.00 to just make it go away and save the hassle hopefully but I have come this far at standing up for what i believe is right, but am i wrong? Ive ignored them so far as i feared that if i tried to appeal early on through their channels, i wouldn't be listened to and be given no public forum to air my case. I think i have a good case as Centro are not providing adequate parking for the extensive number of residents now in the area and are seemingly slow to act. Also if they are not charging for parking then I think their demands are excessive as they are not losing any revenue. I have taken pics of where I parked and I am definitely not blocking anyone in and it is in fact a 'space' i used to park in prior to the new rules. If you think I have no case and no chance of winning in small claims then please let me know. Can I offer them a nominal fee to save time and effort all round and ask them to waive the fees? Everyone should be judged on their own merit and I would definitely not have done this intentionally. Also do I definitely have to attend Court or can I send my defence in writing?
On the morning in question I couldn't find any parking spaces at all at 9.30am, all had been taken by commuters I imagine. The following day, unusually I had to make the same journey but at approx 11am and there was only one space remaining which i took. On my return 2 1/2 hours later, i drove around the car park specifically to check for spaces and there were none!
The car park is getting busier and busier due to another 3 housing estates having been built nearby and there is inadequate parking provision. There was a survey done last March in the said car park consulting with commuters and a plan is in the pipeline to provide another 241 spaces. My local councillor has said that this will not be for another 12 months or so and they had provided more disabled spaces before, a total of 9, but there are too many and are not fully utilised.
So, i was charged 60 pounds initially then after 28 days it went to 100 pounds. I have had 3 or 4 letters before Christmas from Vehicle Control Services saying they would pass my debt on if i didn't pay 160.00. I have now received a letter from BW Legal in Leeds which I have since learnt is a glorified debt collector. They are saying I will have to pay costs if it goes to court should I not pay, a total now of 239.34. The thing is, twice in their letter it states 'pay by' and it is left blank!
I feel like I should offer the initial 60.00 to just make it go away and save the hassle hopefully but I have come this far at standing up for what i believe is right, but am i wrong? Ive ignored them so far as i feared that if i tried to appeal early on through their channels, i wouldn't be listened to and be given no public forum to air my case. I think i have a good case as Centro are not providing adequate parking for the extensive number of residents now in the area and are seemingly slow to act. Also if they are not charging for parking then I think their demands are excessive as they are not losing any revenue. I have taken pics of where I parked and I am definitely not blocking anyone in and it is in fact a 'space' i used to park in prior to the new rules. If you think I have no case and no chance of winning in small claims then please let me know. Can I offer them a nominal fee to save time and effort all round and ask them to waive the fees? Everyone should be judged on their own merit and I would definitely not have done this intentionally. Also do I definitely have to attend Court or can I send my defence in writing?
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