Advice on contesting A PCN

[SupraP-Z]

Hey all, the other day i unfortunately received a parking ticket, for being "PARKED IN A RESTRICTED STREET DURING PRESCRIBED HOURS". I saw the parking attendant walking towards my car (from inside the shop i was in) quickly ran out and drove off before he had a chance to snap any shots or put anything on my car. I thought i had got away but the buggers sent me a letter through the post. Now normally i would just pay it, but there are a few things on here that i would like to contest.

 

1) There is no two digit code before the statement saying: Parked in a restricted street during prescribed hours.

 

2) The location is extremely vague, it just says High Road and the town i was in.

 

3) The parking attendant was a cheeky B*****d because the time of contravention was from 18:00 to 18:00 which means he was obviously hiding around the corner put my details into his stupid little machine, then was going to attempt to issue a PCN.

 

Also i dont know if there is any proof of this, they havent sent any pictures...how do i know/find out if they have proof of where i was at that particular point of time at that exact location?

 

Another thing, it states on the top:

 

The authority BELIEVES that a penalty charge is payable with respect to the above vehicle on the grounds of the following ALLEGED parking contravention, this means that it hasnt been proved...am i correct?

 

I would have paid it, but tbh im sick and tired of giving away my hard earned money to these parasites who just love ripping people off.

 

Any help on this matter is greatly appreciated!

[Ace]

Contest it. Send a copy of the letter back advising that you have received no proof of the contravention with your letter, and will not take any further actions on the matter until such time that they can send photographic evidence showing EXACTLY where you were at the EXACT time of the alleged contravention.

 

If they return with proof, you'll be fairly bang to rights - but it makes them work for their money. And if they have no proof, it's making them work for no gain at all.

 

Basically, anything that is vague from them or might cause an objective person doubt as to the validity, use it against them.

 

If you're particularly naughty, first mention the lack of a specific place or address, then when/if they confirm that, write back outlining that their letter states the contravention is alleged, and you want clarification on what they are convinced you have done wrong.

 

When/if they reply to that, state you've received no photographic evidence backing up their claim. They may well have given up long before then.

[jimojameso]

I thought the ticket had to be placed on your car to be valid but i may be wrong. Ask to see the evidence. Good luck

[Guest Budz86]

They have to take a photo of the ticket in place on the car, otherwise it's not valid. As mentioned above, ask them for proof/evidence of what they are claiming. Sounds like they won't be able to provide it.

 

Good luck!

[merckx]

They have to take a photo of the ticket in place on the car

Not where I live they don't, nothing was put on the car just the PCN in the post.

 

I got a ticket for stopping in a bus stop for 15 seconds to drop someone off.

[bignum]

I thought they had to get the serial number off your tax disc, without it they cant do you.

[Ace]

They have to take a photo of the ticket in place on the car, otherwise it's not valid. As mentioned above, ask them for proof/evidence of what they are claiming. Sounds like they won't be able to provide it.

 

Good luck!

 

I'm not sure if they HAVE to, I think they are all in the practice of doing so in order to help their cause. But you'd expect that they would present you with all the proof they could before expecting you to pay.

 

Some London boroughs now send you a PCN that includes an invite to visit a secure area of their website, which details the contravention, where exactly it was (with a map) and photos of the contravention uploaded for your "viewing pleasure".