Parking but reason...

[Pot Bellied Fool]

Hi all

I was delighted to receive a parking charge notice in the post the other day.

I had indeed stayed longer than the time permitted after doing a spot of work and having a few coffees in a McD. But the extra time was becuase I couldn't get out the carpark!

It's near to a stadium and it hit concert chucking out time and the carpark was overwhelmed with a thousand teens wanting burgers and their DadTaxis trying to pick 'em up.

The extra time that took me over the threshold was spent, in my car, trying to get out of an absolutely gridlocked carpark. It was carnage! Over an hour I was sat there with nothing moving. Won't be going back there for sure!

But will my appeal fly? Can I claim for the trauma of being an unwilling guest of Ronald McDonald and having flashbacks of being rudely taken unawares by a scalding apple pie?

[Mikebentley]

It’s worth a try

[speedking31]

Although you were stationary during that period, you weren't parked and so shouldn't have to pay. Definitely appeal, with photos etc.

[bad company]

I’m astonished that anyone would even consider paying in such circumstances. Just reply telling them what happened as stated here.

[KungFuPanda]

Definitely worth putting an appeal in. I put a sensible appeal in for a friend against a private parking ticket and surprisingly, it was acccepted. So they’re not all bds.

[rdjohn]

bad company said:

I m astonished that anyone would even consider paying in such circumstances. Just reply telling them what happened as stated here.

I would be very surprised if the ticket was not pulled. You have the most reasonable of reasonable excuses. They will no doubt have complaints from other drivers similarly affected.

[carl_w]

Was it a private car park or a council car park?

[Pot Bellied Fool]

rdjohn said:

I would be very surprised if the ticket was not pulled. You have the most reasonable of reasonable excuses. They will no doubt have complaints from other drivers similarly affected.

It may come as little surprise that the appeal was rejected because we consider the parking charge to have been correctly issued, as the vehicle was on site over the permitted time.

...and of course, they gleefully point out that you can't go to POPLA without losing the opportunity to pay the discounted rate.

Edited by Pot Bellied Fool on Monday 2nd March 14:26

Edited by Pot Bellied Fool on Monday 2nd March 14:26

[Johnnybee]

If the congestion is a regular thing it may be worth having a word with McDonalds to see if they can cancel the charge.

[Colonel Cupcake]

Pot Bellied Fool said:

rdjohn said:

I would be very surprised if the ticket was not pulled. You have the most reasonable of reasonable excuses. They will no doubt have complaints from other drivers similarly affected.

It may come as little surprise that the appeal was rejected because we consider the parking charge to have been correctly issued, as the vehicle was on site over the permitted time.

...and of course, they gleefully point out that you can't go to POPLA without losing the opportunity to pay the discounted rate.

Edited by Pot Bellied Fool on Monday 2nd March 14:26

Edited by Pot Bellied Fool on Monday 2nd March 14:26

If you were prevented from leaving the site in a timely fashion, I would argue the 'contract' is frustrated and void due events beyond the control of either party.

[Mad Maximus]

Pot Bellied Fool said:

rdjohn said:

I would be very surprised if the ticket was not pulled. You have the most reasonable of reasonable excuses. They will no doubt have complaints from other drivers similarly affected.

It may come as little surprise that the appeal was rejected because we consider the parking charge to have been correctly issued, as the vehicle was on site over the permitted time.

...and of course, they gleefully point out that you can't go to POPLA without losing the opportunity to pay the discounted rate.

Edited by Pot Bellied Fool on Monday 2nd March 14:26

Edited by Pot Bellied Fool on Monday 2nd March 14:26

Clearly they are hoping you bottle it and pay. Tossers.

[Red9zero]

Do you have a dashcam ? A few clips of you sat there without moving might help your case. Failing that, you would assume you aren't the only one disputing your fine from that night.

[DodgyGeezer]

counter claim for them not ensuring you can leave their premises...

[carl_w]

Johnnybee said:

If the congestion is a regular thing it may be worth having a word with McDonalds to see if they can cancel the charge.

Yes, ask McDonald's to get it cancelled.

Then appeal to POPLA. Don't worry about the discounted rate as you won't be paying anything.

[bad company]

Not sure I’d even appeal to POPLA. I’d just write back pointing out that your exit was impeded and you won’t be paying.

Their only way forward is to sue and they won’t want to be doing that.

[carl_w]

bad company said:

Not sure I d even appeal to POPLA. I d just write back pointing out that your exit was impeded and you won t be paying.

Their only way forward is to sue and they won t want to be doing that.

No harm in appealing to POPLA though. That puts a lid on it. Otherwise OP will have years of threatening letters before they give up.