Parking Tickets

[skelly]

In July this year I parked my car in a pay and display area, purchased a ticket, and when I returned to my car I still had approx. 20 minutes left on my ticket. A couple of weeks ago I received a letter from the council saying that I had been isued with a parking ticket on the said day in July and that since I had failed to pay it the price had increased to �50. I returned the letter explaining that the offence did not take place. I have now received a second letter with an appeal form attached. It is asking me to explain what has happened and enclose any evidence to support my claim. a) My car was in the area at the time stated. b) I did purchase a pay and display ticket, although I cannot prove this. c) There was no parking ticket on my windscreen. What are my chances of appeal, what will happen if I lose my appeal, is there any more I can do?

[mikewith]

Short of taking a photograph every time you park and return to your car, with a verifiable date/ time stamp attached, us drivers are in no practical position to win these arguments, are we? I'll hazard a guess that this incident took place towards the end of the month and the warden involved was trying to reach his or her quota.

[skelly]

mikewith. You are 100% correct. The reason I can remember the date and location so clearly is because it was the 31st July and I was going to the Post Office for my road tax.

[skelly]

Glasgow.

[sinfield]

Been there, lost the case! I went all the way to arbitration as there was no ticket on my car. I was willing to pay the �30 fine as I was parked illegally, but did not think it fair to pay the additional �30 as the first I new of the ticket was when the letter arrived in the post. If you lose the appeal to the local authority, you can go to the arbitration service. Check the web for other stories similar to yours in your town. Also, get a copy of the ticket and check all the details very carefully. My guess is that all you will do is delay the inevitable, but you have had the satisfaction that you have made the council work for its money!!