CP Plus car park - no spaces so left; outcome?

[Funk]

On Saturday I ventured into the town centre where there are only a couple of options if you want to park for more than an hour. The most convenient parking is run by CP Plus and has cameras monitoring entry and exit.

I pulled into the car park and after a couple of circuits found nowhere to park. After a couple of minutes I gave up and left. Clearly I didn't pay anything (as I hadn't been able to park) - am I likely to have a fight on my hands with CP Plus with them trying to charge me or is there a 'grace period' whereby if you leave again within 'x' minutes there's no charge?

If necessary I have it all on camera so can prove no spaces and that I didn't park which may be helpful!

[pim]

If there is nowhere to park why should you pay?

Camaras or no camaras not your problem.Did they have a notice out the car park was full?

[Funk]

No, no notice, it's unattended. Also THE crappiest payment machines in the world but that's a gripe for another day. I'm just wondering whether I'm likely to have to fight them that I went in but couldn't park so left again...

[kowalski655]

There was a case involving a Cornish car park where someone could not find a space,like you,and left. Ticket was dismissed, so you should be fine.

[Funk]

Good to know, thanks.

[S11Steve]

kowalski655 said:

There was a case involving a Cornish car park where someone could not find a space,like you,and left. Ticket was dismissed, so you should be fine.

Correct - Fistral Beach is typical for this. However, tickets are issued, and it is a bit of work and unnecessary mither to get them cancelled. In theory there should be a 10 minute grace period as set by the BPA, but in practice this is often forgotten about in the clamour to issue tickets.

CP PLus are not particularly good with their admin, and it is relatively easy to have them overturned for non-compliance with POFA if they try to enforce keeper liability. Therefore, if/when you appeal, it is vital that you do not admit to being the driver, instead accept that you are the keeper of the vehicle.

It really shouldn't be necessary to do all this, but the industry is rotten and corrupt to the core, so you have to work on their level.

[Funk]

Unfortunately I managed to leave my dashcam running last night for 15 hours so it's highly likely it's overwritten the files from Saturday. D'oh!

[Mill Wheel]

Funk said:

Unfortunately I managed to leave my dashcam running last night for 15 hours so it's highly likely it's overwritten the files from Saturday. D'oh!

Did you not have an option to press a button and "lock" the current file? Worth finding out for future convenience.

[Funk]

Mill Wheel said:

Funk said:

Unfortunately I managed to leave my dashcam running last night for 15 hours so it's highly likely it's overwritten the files from Saturday. D'oh!

Did you not have an option to press a button and "lock" the current file? Worth finding out for future convenience.

Yeah I do, but I didn't do it at the time. Was going to get the cam out of the car and upload to the PC but managed to screw myself on that one... One of the few times it would've been useful. D'oh!

[herewego]

Even if they do charge you an appeal to POPLA would show that you were only in there for a couple of minutes so the charge would be dismissed.

[S11Steve]

I can't recall if it was CP Plus or not, but I did get into a lengthy appeal process with one operator who insisted the grace period was only applicable at the end of the parking period. The BPA have updated their code of conduct to clarify that a "reasonable" grace period should be allowed upon entry (and exit).

Hopefully it wont get to this and they will see sense prior to issuing a ticket, but who knows...



http://www.britishparking.co.uk/write/Documents/AO...

[Funk]

Cheers Steve, I was probably only in there for a few minutes, enough to circle a few times looking for a space. Hopefully I'll just never hear from them.