Congestion Charge think I got out of it ? kind of
Congestion Charge think I got out of it ? kind of
Author
Discussion

woof

Original Poster:

8,456 posts

297 months

Tuesday 14th October 2003
quotequote all
Hi

Accidently strayed into the congestion zone (around Marble arch) last month. Didn't realise until i received a £40 fine thru the post a week later.

So I replied to it - explained that it was by mistake and detailed my route which then took me out of the zone. Included a cheque for £5 fee - saying that I always pay and it was a mistake so here's the normal charge. Trust this resolves the matter etc.

Got a letter back - saying that it wasn't within the 28 days for a protest (it was) and that I have to pay the £80 fine.

However - I've checked my account and they have cashed my cheque for £5.

Now - I'm guessing by them doing that - it can only be a payment for the congestion charge. There's no mention in their reply that they cashed the cheque.

What do you chaps think ?

Also going up against them because I tried to pay the other day on their website - 11pm. 3 attempts and 3 PC crashes later I give up.

Called the next day - explained the problem I had and was told that there's nothing I can do about apart from pay the £40 fine when it arrives !

streaky

19,311 posts

269 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
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Posted elsewhere by g atrill:

"
A report today says that out of 400,000+ penalty notices sent out only 200,000 have been paid, 129,000 were disputed and 69% of disputes accepted. That's a collection rate of 59%:

www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/33357.html
"

FWIW. YMMV.

Streaky

kevinday

13,592 posts

300 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
I would be tempted to write back and ask why they are trying to fine you, they have cashed the cheque written in payment of the con, sorry, congestion charge. Include details of cheque number, date cashed etc.

Neil_H

15,406 posts

271 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
I'm no lawyer, but if they cashed your cheque that should indicate that they accepted your offer and basically entered into a contract with you as detailed in your letter.

Did you send the letter recorded delivery? Keep copies etc?

g_attrill

8,612 posts

266 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
I think you'll find that they have cashed it to pay part of the charge - they should have said "thank you for your part payment, you now owe £35 or £75 if you pay after 28 days".

You're on a loser here - if you go into the zone then you have to pay. The only way you could successfully dispute it is denying you were there.

Gareth

woof

Original Poster:

8,456 posts

297 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
Hi

Don't think this is the case - their letter makes no reference to cashing the cheque or part payment.

I'm going with "cashed cheque - entered contract" route.

Hey I spent 8 months arguing with them on a bus lnae fine - which I eventually won - seems a shame to spend the rest of year arguing over this one !!




g_attrill said:
I think you'll find that they have cashed it to pay part of the charge - they should have said "thank you for your part payment, you now owe £35 or £75 if you pay after 28 days".

You're on a loser here - if you go into the zone then you have to pay. The only way you could successfully dispute it is denying you were there.

Gareth

outlaw

1,893 posts

286 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
Neil_H said:
I'm no lawyer, but if they cashed your cheque that should indicate that they accepted your offer and basically entered into a contract with you as detailed in your letter.

Did you send the letter recorded delivery? Keep copies etc?

spot on

on the subject of letters always always send em recorded.

outlaw

1,893 posts

286 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
Neil_H said:
I'm no lawyer, but if they cashed your cheque that should indicate that they accepted your offer and basically entered into a contract with you as detailed in your letter.

Did you send the letter recorded delivery? Keep copies etc?

spot on

on the subject of letters always always send em recorded and keep a photo copy as well.

edc

9,457 posts

271 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
If you had written here's £5.00 in full payment then it might be a different story.

On a tangent, I wen into the zone in July, did not pay before entering but paid before the deadline the same day. My CC payment thru their website has still not come out - not that I'm complaining.

woof

Original Poster:

8,456 posts

297 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all

it's worth ago anyway - just to slow the system down.

By 8 month epic with them over the buslane fine must of cost them a few man hours !!!

we'll see what happens - also got another one on the congestion charge when I looged on to their site but it continuilly bombed me out - by then it was midnight. Tried to pay on the phone the next day (which of course you can't) so now protesting that one.

Giong to register my cars in Monaco - parking tickets and charging then !