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On the 8th October I parked in Falmouth on the National Maritime Museum pay and display car park. I obtained and displayed a valid ticket for 2 hours parking.
I returned to my car some 20 minutes over the 2 hour period to find a ticket on my windscreen advising me of a £80.00 penalty charge.

I wrote on the 10th October to the ‘management’ company responsible for the operation of the car park and issuing the penalty notice, enclosing a cheque for £10.00 ‘in full and final reasonable settlement for my minor breach of contract in your car park’.

Yesterday, 27th October I received a letter dated 25th October stating :

"Your ticket, was purchased on 8th October 2011, expired at 14.43and after allowing a grace period of 20 minutes you were ticketed at 15.03. I am holding your cheque for £10.00 on my files as a part payment of the £80.00 penalty charge. The balance of £70.00 is now due and I would appreciate your payment for this amount by return.
Please note that if this is not received within the next 7 days the amount payable will increase to £100.00 as detailed on the front of the parking charge ticket. A***** S**** Services will pursue all outstanding parking charges to conclusion and if necessary with the help of the County Courts".

Should I reply stating the Freedom from Harassment Act 2007 or just ignore them for the time being?
I should point out that there were numerous empty parking spaces available.

Regards,
Ian Vanes.
Worcestershire.

Asked on 28 October 2011 by Ian Vanes

Answered by Honest John
Depends on whether this is a private carpark or a council carpark. If a council carpark you committed a decriminalised parking offence, so must pay and then appeal to the parking adjudicator. If a private carpark, it is highly unlikely that the parking enforcer will do any more than threaten you, but there is now an appeals process at: www.parkingforum.co.uk/adjudication_pilot / It states, “This pilot is designed to test the principles behind formalising such a service and may form the basis of a statutory appeals service when the Government legislates to introduce one.”
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