PCN time to respond

[MDMA .]

Not me, but MrsMDMA. She’s not been well since Christmas. Hospital stay in March and April, then regular appointments at the hospital. She had to go up and collect a blood sugar monitor and her first batch of steroids in April. Told to pop into the on-site pharmacy and collect the items as they were ready. She parked outside the hospital (council controlled pay and display), paid for an hour, walked the 20m to the pharmacy and ended up waiting for over an hour and a half (couldn’t find the monitor and they had to source another one). Came back to the car and a parking ticket was issued. I’ll add that the parking attendant helped her with the machine as she’s never used one before and he knew she was just popping into the pharmacy.
Anyway, above is just for reference. There was an option to challenge it, which she did on the 24th April. Not heard anything back since. Nearly 11 weeks have passed now. Is this normal? Just sit tight and see what happens?
She’s not disputing the fact she over stayed and will pay the discounted charge. But as she’s challenged it (with reasons why), she is wondering how much longer it will be.

[dundarach]

Does she have any proof of the challenge, e.g. online screen grab, post office receipt?

If so, sit back.

If not, polite call.

[LunarOne]

Back in the early 2000s, long before parking apps (or any apps for that matter) existed, I worked in Denmark, where I discovered that it was completely normal to insert a debit card when you began your parking session. When you finished, you put your card in the machine and paid for the amount of time you actually used. They had this working years ago, yet here in the UK we are still expected to guess how long we need to park for or pay more than necessary because we can't guess - for example visiting A&E. Things are finally changing in the UK, but we are seriously behind the times. Of course, parking operators would much prefer the fear of overstaying to pressure us into paying too much, just in case.

[MDMA .]

dundarach said:

Does she have any proof of the challenge, e.g. online screen grab, post office receipt?

If so, sit back.

If not, polite call.

Yes, have the confirmation email back from the council saying we endeavour to get back to you within 21 days and the option of the discounted price will still be available if the challenge isn’t successful.
I check every few days on the email, junk folders, the lot. No reply since that email on the 24th April.

Edited by MDMA . on Friday 8th July 10:25

[Pica-Pica]

I have challenged parking invoices before. Parking Eye, specifically. My wife visited a dentist, and became unwell, an ambulance was called, and so was I. I drove in my car to the dentist and the ambulance released her to my care. I drove her home, and left her car there. I collected her car the next day, as I could not leave her before then. I sent the NHS ambulance discharge document, which had all the call, attendance and release times, as well as the diagnosis and treatment. Parking Eye cancelled the invoice, by return e-Mail. With sufficient evidence you should get a cancellation from the council/company.

[MDMA .]

Update on this. Had an email through today to say that the penalty charge notice has been cancelled after careful consideration.
So just over 20 weeks since the ticket (22nd April).

Edited by MDMA . on Tuesday 13th September 15:59