Hi there,
So around the end of December/start of January, the driver parked their car at work in a football carpark right next to their work (it had UKPC signs). The drivers employer hires some of the spaces at the football ground so employees can use them. Now, the driver hadn't parked here for over a year as the driver had been taking the train (the driver drove in on this day as it was Christmas season and the roads were empty). When the driver last parked there, it was for contractors and they didn't need to display any parking permit. Since then, the rules changed and you have to display your parking permit.
The driver has a parking permit, but didnt put it on display at the time as they didn't realise. The driver has parked there many times before, years ago, so in a sense was on autopilot in a false sense of comfort.
When the driver returned to their car they obviously had a ticket (PCN). The driver contacted their work place and they told me the driver to appeal and usually they will give a reduced fine. The driver appealed, and in the appeal put in their parking permit number for proof that they are an employee and eligible to park in this car park.
The driver didn't hear anything back until months later when a bill came in asking for £160. the driver phoned them up and their tone was extremely unhelpful. They said they had sent 2 letters indicating that the appeal was rejected and that if the letters weren't received they should take it up with royal mail. The driver also just phoned up UKPC and they assure the driver that the letters were sent too. To be sure the driver tore their house apart on the weekend looking through all their letters and the driver is certain that it was never sent. Strangely, DRP have sent two final notices and the driver has received both of those.
The driver wonders where they stand with this and what they can do? The driver longer has the original fine ticket, as they threw it away thinking the matter was dealt with. The appeal said the driver would hear back within 35 days, which never happened (to the drivers knowledge). The driver has had similar with the council once before, and when they hadn't heard back, the council cancelled it. The driver thought the same thing had happened here.
All that can be said really is that the fine has come from DRP. Speaking to them on the phone they told the driver they sent denied appeal letters twice already, and the driver has no choice but to pay. It may be going to court summons stages now.
The driver spoke to the football company, and they said they can only cancel fines for customers of their spaces. Spaces for my employer are not to do with them.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.