stupid parking fine

[johnf]

I seem to have fallen foul of a 'jobsworth'

I manufacture, supply and fit signs and graphics and have one major client with some 90+ retail stores.

Nov 5th I'm doing a delivery run round which included Bromley High St.
There is a loading bay pull in 150ft from the stores front door so I park my Voyager and make five or six trips carrying the new signs, tools, steps etc into the store.

After unloading I drove to the shopping centre car park and walked back to the store to carry out the work.

Well I get a parking fine £60 for misuse of the parking bay with time lapse photos spanning five and a half minutes.
Shot one - I'm taking something out os the rear
Shot two - A close up of my number plate.
Shot three - I'm getting in to drive off

They suggested I was shopping - so they think I drove from Solihull, 150 miles, to Bromley, arriving at 10am, to go shopping.

So I wrote to them telling them I was delivering to a High Street store and if they contacted the manager he would verify the delivery.

I get a letter back saying the don't contact third parties so the fine stands. Included was the fine notice along with the appeal proceedure.

So I got an official letter from my clients head office stating I was making a delivery which I sent off with a letter explaining that I had not Driven 150 miles from the West Midlands to park in a loading bay to go shopping.

I've now got a hearing date for early feb, which I can attend to state my case - do the maths, a day wasted driving to London plus fuel is worth about £300 to me, or take my chances they see sense with the worst outcome a £60 fine.

They don't cover costs

I'm at a loss to see any sense in this at all........................................................

[boosted]

I fully understand makes your blood boil and its decent folk that will always end up paying as the system has got you....now in these circumstances myself i try to resolve sensibly and if i feel im getting nowhere i pay as not worth the Blood pressure and time wasted dealing with it whilst you could be earning money.
Not the answer you where after but beating the system takes time and money.

[clive]

Although not parking I've just had an annoyingly stupid one  .

Twice a week for 15 years I have travelled across Tower Bridge and onto Tower Bridge road in London and yesterday received a letter telling me I have been nicked for doing 27mph in a 20mph not on the bridge but after, turns out that the tax check cameras which have been there for years, now double up as speed cameras.

The summons is accompanied by a letter stating that uniquely to Tower bridge road, due to the bridges special heritage significance there are no speed camera signs and the cameras do not flash , just some markings on the road, somewhere   !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Also be warned all the speed cameras are now fully operational around the M25 and in just a few trips I'm seeing many now getting flashed (at least they flash unlike my one above!!)     

Talking of revenue enhancing on yet another different note the Dartford bridge/ tunnel booths went a few weeks ago and yes the traffic does now flow better, however like the London congestion charge you have to either pay on the day or the day after or receive a fine.

"apparently" in just a few weeks 250,000 people are up for fines in just these few short weeks, staggered the government didn't realise the money to be made ages ago       

[AMH]

That's rubbish John.

Do you have to attend the court in person? Can't you just put your case in writing, along with the letter?

[johnf]

Yes I've replied in writing with my letter and the confirming letter from the client HO.

Attending is your choice, and oportunity to plead the circumstances in person.

Anyone with an ounce of sense must see I was parked there legitimately.

However the independant solicitor, who will make the decision, can call it however he feels and it's final.

[Mir]

John, please let the adjudicator deal with it and don't travel. Hopefully the decision will be in your favour. I have been there and the adjucator decided in my favour in my absence. These adjudicators are trained Solicitors/Barristers.

You can expect justice from them!

Cheers
Mir

[johnf]

Well after about five months, Bromley Council submitting video evidence, TWO appeal hearings [which I didn't attend] and at God knows what cost to the good taxpayers of Bromley my appeal was upheld

with the parking fine thrown out.

So if you know you're in the right and have the time to fight - you can win.

[AMH]

Glad it got sorted John - shame it took so long.

[boosted]

Yes fairplay win for underdog....

[shaunwil]

Good to hear common sense prevails.

Shaun