paulr

Last week i was driving back from Surrey and as i was tired, i took a nap at Welcome Break near Leicester. 2hrs 30 minutes. The maximum is 2 hours, today i got a fine of £60.

Is there anything i can do. It seems a bit severe.

(I have 9 days to pay, or its £100)

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

Yep, bin it.

willN

iTrader: (1)

google it.. there are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many loopholes. I just sent an letter containing a couple of them and it all stopped.

scoobeenut

As cookstar says just bin it. If it's not a council issued ticket then it's just an invoice from a private company and all they can do is chase it as such.

Silver Knight

Ignore it, it is only a speculative invoice not a fine.
Only the councils and government can fine you.
You will get 3 or 4 threatening letters, then 2 or 3 from a "debt agency", then maybe a couple from a "solictor" all will be from the same address so just bin the lot.

paulr

The law slightly changed in October 2012 giving them enhanced powers, but i'm still tempted to take your advice.

Graz

As above, private parking "fines" are not enforceable. There's probably some template letters you can use telling them you have no intention of paying it and why if it puts you mind at rest

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

As above, bin it.

paulr

Thanks. I'm not paying...and in future i will boycott Welcome Break.

JTaylor

I had one of these for the cinema; parked in the wrong place apparently. Anyway, I ignored the raft of threats, including the CPS ltd letter (), and haven't heard a thing since.

MDS_WRX

iTrader: (1)

Yep, bin it

And don't enter into ANY correspondance with them.

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

Agreed, if you correspond with them you are "on the hook". They will try harder with you, meaning lots more moody solicitors letters.

I've had quite a few of these, and the end result is always the same - nothing.

paulr

Thanks, i won't.

Oldun

You are not alone..
http://www.pepipoo.com/search-result...239j1700601j13

zip106

Just be careful - the law changed last year.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012...-car-park-fine

DYK

**** on it,screw it up,bin it.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

"Driving while tired can kill: take a break!"

And then you do, and they kick off.

This country is sh!te.

paulr

My feelings exactly. The car park was 70% empty, it was 10pm on a Sunday.

hodgy0_2

That's a good point, I am sure as part of the contract they must have with the roads agency they have to offer free "rest parking" for more that two hours


But in terms of the law change, worth looking into


But I would bin -- as long as they cant put a black mark on your credit file for an unpaid bill

hodgy0_2

Looks like the 2hrs is within the guidlines

Dr Hu

I had one for overstaying a free Shopping Center carpark by 20 mins - didn't even realise it was time limited.

It was controlled by Parking Eye - the biggest load of shysters and chancers according to the internet.

I had a £60 demand, then £100 (twice) - I totally ignored them all - enter in NO correspondence - I had 3 letters in total - they seem have given up as I haven't had one for a few months now - my 'heinous crime' was on 6th Jan - so here's hoping.

The only people allowed to issue 'fines' are Police/Official Traffic Wardens and Councils. You will notice on your 'fine' letter that they don't actually call it a fine - it will be a 'parking charge notice' or similar - that is because by law they are NOT able to issue a fine - it is, as said above, a speculative invoice, they have no authority to fine you anything, its like me sending you an invoice for sitting on your sofa - why would you pay that?

Anyhoo - they will have to pry any money out of my cold dead hands....

XDevil666

Bin it - ive had loads, they send so many letters and finally give up.

they cant do jack

Fleetster

Leslie

I doubt that they can enforce it Paul. I would just ignore it anyway.

Les

dunx

iTrader: (3)

"err indoors" collects these....

She paid the first, but once I found out, ignored the rest.

dunx

P.S. I got one at Ferrybridge services, but one Alcazar ( Yes You ! ) drove the car in, and I drove it out.... many hours later. Thus the driver of the vehicle entered into a contract that the owner was not party to.
result = bin it !

lordharding

iTrader: (1)

I have had a couple
Bin them
Do not contact them to discus it as you become " live"
Ignore all follow up letters
They will get bored and give up with you

paulr

So far I've had three letters asking for payment. Today, number four came, I had to sign for it. It threatens court action if I don't pay the £100.

MDS_WRX

iTrader: (1)

Do you recycle paper or did it go in the standard bin?

nyscooby

iTrader: (12)

You signed it????? i hope your joking!!

Dont even loose sleep over this, they will never take this to court. ever ever ever!!!

v7sti

Nearly every service station as the anpr cameras on the entrance and exit these are the ones that time you, even some mcdonalds are doing it now, we've had loads at work because our lorries take a break and then tip there load so makes it over 2 hrs on site we just send a letter back explaining we're delivering simple....also some people use the no entry or no authorised bridges this can also make you get a ticket because the camera see's you going in but not back out up the motorway... This is mostly the ones we are seeing at our work....