Euro Car Parks parking ticket...

Gashman

Gashman

Gashman

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Joined
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Jarrow, Tyne And Wear
right, a friend of mine is debating whether to ignore a 'parking ticket' he found under his windscreen wiper whilst parked in a Morrison's car park in South Shields, he genuinely did not realise it was a 'pay and display' car park since it never was when the previous super market chain owned it, also there is no 'stand out' pay and display signs upon entering the car park. the only signs are quite small and mounted insignificantly on top of the ticket machines. the internet (Morrison's website in-fact) states that the South Shields store has a 'free Car Park'.

am I right in guessing that these 'tickets' have no lawful ground and he cannot be forced to pay, even though he didn't display a ticket (like I said he didn't even realise it was ticket car park!), the only information they can have is his registration number, type of car, colour of car and what not. there are no cameras in the car park either, is this an enforceable 'fine' or is it just a private company patrolling a private car park (which was listed as free), with no real power...?

also am I right in assuming that they cannot prove he was driving the vehicle at the said time, therefore their 'parking charge' is null and void...? isn't it only the police who can charge the actual vehicle owner for an offence...?

cheers in advance, he seems quite annoyed with this situation so any solid advice would be welcome! :)
 
-Ad- said:
Bin.

Move on :D

Bin letter 2.

Move on :D

Bin letter 3.

Move on.
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really? that simple? see I didn't think they could legally do anything about it, since its not a legal document, couldn't he just say 'erm...there wasn't a ticket?' and since they can't prove otherwise, what sort of letter should he expect...?
 
Hyburnate said:
Bin. Even if they do I think I'm right in saying they can't do anything as they don't have his VIN number.
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Nothing to do with VIN numbers, it's because no contract existed between the carpark and the driver.

It's also to do with they can only prove who is the registered keeper, and not who was driving at the time. Only the Police / Council can make you cough up who was driving.
 
The only thing to think about in these cases:

If it says "Penalty Charge Notice" - pay up and move on.

If it says "Parking Charge Notice" - bin.

That's it.
 
so even though he didn't pay, they still can't do anything because they aren't an 'official' body, guessing they get the owner of the vehicle information from the DVLA, but other than that not much can be done? :confused:
 
Gashman said:
so even though he didn't pay, they still can't do anything because they aren't an 'official' body, guessing they get the owner of the vehicle information from the DVLA, but other than that not much can be done? :confused:
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Things can be done if they are really determined, but in reality this wouldn't happen as it would cost them far more (in both money and time) than the ticket's worth.
 
Liquidfox said:
Plus they can only try to claim back the amount of money back that they'd have lost. Which in a free car park is nothing.
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Yep, if it ever went to county court, which it won't, they would have prove costs, which would be pretty difficult to do if they keep bumping up the 'charge'... even if guilty they would have a hard time explaing how thier expenses have increased from the initial sum. they are fully aware of this.. its just more scare tactics.
 
Gashman said:
so even though he didn't pay, they still can't do anything because they aren't an 'official' body, guessing they get the owner of the vehicle information from the DVLA, but other than that not much can be done? :confused:
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The only option they have is a "small claims" civil case, for breach of contract. They will have purchased the details of the registered keeper from the dvla for about 2 quid.
The registered keeper is not obliged to omit who was driving the vehicle at that time.
They would then have to demonstrate that you entered into a contract which you then breached. They will then have to justify the out of pocket costs they are claiming.


But don't make things complicated by entering into any kind if discussion, just ignore them.
 
This

I had one last christmas. I received various variuos warnings and a final reminder etc.. Just binned all of them and they stopped coming.
 
If you get one of these tickets and you return to the car park is there a risk of them clamping or towing away your car?
 
Gashman I have worked with ECP and Morrisons. I have informed Morrisons about the problem on their website, if they dont rectify it soon then maybe you should notify them too. The free parking mistake on the website should free your friend from guilt.

no1$dn side procedure varies from place to place. If I were you I would return to the car park and speak to the official about it; theyve obviously booked you for a reason.
 
greatsite said:
Gashman I have worked with ECP and Morrisons. I have informed Morrisons about the problem on their website, if they dont rectify it soon then maybe you should notify them too. The free parking mistake on the website should free your friend from guilt.

no1$dn side procedure varies from place to place. If I were you I would return to the car park and speak to the official about it; theyve obviously booked you for a reason.
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Rubbish advice. There is no guilt and there is no fine. Just an invoice for the driver, addressed to the registered keeper.
 
no1$dn said:
If you get one of these tickets and you return to the car park is there a risk of them clamping or towing away your car?
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You can't clamp or tow someone for an previous "fine" as far as I know. Doesn't stop some scumbag parking enforcement companies though.
 
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