Parking Fine. What To Do ?

[smurfchops]

http://www.centralsurgerysurbiton.co.uk/info.aspx?p=10

Just had a Charge Notice from these people. They want £85 or £50 if paid within 14 days. Hubbie went to surgery for an appointment and we think he must have put incorrect car registration on screen. I have proof that he did have an appointment and wasn't parking illegally. He was only there for half an hour, he is elderly and is not computer literate. Surgery just say we have to take this up with parking enforcers as they just rent the land and don't own car park. Should we ignore or appeal, what can these enforcers do ??

[Retrochic]

I would ignore it completely through experience they send a few nasty letters then move on. Others on here would argue that things have toughened up and to pay it.If you have proof send it off and make sure they know you will appeal should they try and enforce the charge -this may put them off.

[smurfchops]

I have now told them we want to appeal and will be sending them proof of the appointment, as well as what I have said above. What is likely to happen? Do we ignore further letters? Could we go to court, although we dont mind if we do.

[EcclesCake]

I know I'll be in the minority here but if you know the error is yours then take it on the chin.

[EDDIE51]

appeal it and tell them it was a mistake in entering the number.
You can't ignore it now you have told them you want to appeal.

[EDDIE51]

The surgery will have the record of numbers that were entered, the one your hubbie entered will not match ones the parking camera saw, and prove your case.

[woofgang]

I don't think the enforcers can do much, its a charge notice and not a fine. I would definitely be complaining to the practice manager that the system that they are using is not suitable for some of their patients. Given that(the surgery) they must know that he was there and there legitimately, I think they should be doing more to help and not teflon shouldering it off

[smurfchops]

The surgery wont get involved apart from giving me a copy of the appointment to prove hubbie had one at the time the car was photographed. They said to get in touch with the parking enforcers. But he wasnt parked illegally as they state, he had an appointment.

[woofgang]

smurf, if they won't get involved then complain to the practice manager about their "policy" not to get involved.

[smurfchops]

I spoke to the practice manager and she just didnt want to know. Only because she knew I was annoyed, she agreed to give me a copy of the appointment as proof. If we fall out with them, we will be looking for another surgery the way things are with the NHS.......

[woofgang]

A written complaint CC'd to your local PALS department will have effect smurfy.

[Chipchopper]

Exactly the same thing happened to me, I got the numbers wrong but the machine still excepted my money and issued a ticket to display.
I took advice from folks on here and decided to appeal, and thankfully (in my case) they let me off.

[smurfchops]

There is no charge, you just put the car registration in so they know you are parked there for an appointment.

[Chipchopper]

In my case, I paid £4.00 up front.
But whatever, I meant to add, I wish you luck!!

[237SJ]

It might be worth phoning PALS at Kingston Hospital. I`m not sure they would do anything about it being that it wasn`t at the hospital but it is their Trust and I got two parking tickets overturned with their help.

[237SJ]

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question1387031.html

[EDDIE51]

Go ahead with the appeal, I am sure they will realise it is just a simple mistake and cancel the invoice. It is an invoice NOT a fine.

[woofgang]

Pals should also help with complaints against GP surgeries as they are a part of the organisation which commissions the services from GP's. IIRC you have to have gone through the surgery's complaints process first, hence my advoe to put in a written complaint to the practice manager, not just about this incident but about the appropriateness of the parking monitoring system. Many people who are going to the GP will be under significant stress and its easy to make mistakes.

[fiction-factory]

I am not sure why people are suggesting a complaint to the surgery/NHS. The problem is between the driver and the parking charge company. The NHS has enough to worry about without having to verify claims from people who miskeyed their reg number on a car park someone else manages.

As others have said, it seems to be a charge rather than a fine. You can continue an appeal and you might succeed. Or you could just write and offer a nominal payment of say £5 to represent a realistic cost of parking and tell them they are wasting their time if they pursue you. There is a good chance they would eventually drop the matter if you keep ignoring further demands

[smurfchops]

What is the difference between a charge and a fine?

[Retrochic]

A fine is legal -only Courts Police and county councils can give 'fines'. Charges are not legally binding but (in Theory) if you park on the owners property then you are agreeing to their Terms and Conditions