PCN in Sheffield

[LiamLally]

Hi, I need advice on a private parking fine.




I work for Northern Powergrid and was doing essential electricity infrastructure work on a substation in Sheffield on 5th Dec 2024 — the same substation that feeds power to the car park ANPR system.




I parked in the Broomhill Rooftop Pay Car Park (Excel Parking). I paid for three sessions: 08:41–09:41, 10:22–11:22, and 11:22–12:22. There was a 41-minute gap between 09:41 and 10:22 where I didn’t pay.




I couldn’t leave site to top up because I was working on live high-voltage equipment — leaving would have breached my duties under Health & Safety law and the Electricity at Work Regs.




Excel rejected my appeal even after I explained this and provided evidence.

Now ELMS Legal is chasing me for £170, threatening court action.




My questions are:

• Does my role doing statutory electrical work help my case?
• Could I argue frustration of contract or public duty defence?
• Does my health & safety duty give me a legal reason not to have renewed the ticket?
• I made payments before and after — does that weaken their claim?
• Should I defend this in court if it goes that far?

Any advice appreciated.

[des8]

You might be able to plead frustration of contract due to statutory duties, but before we get there can you post up a copy of the Notice to keeper and the letter from ELMS that you have received.
Remove identifying details but leave in all dates and times.
You may have to use a hosting site and post a link here.

Any chance your employer will pick up the bill?