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Is my partner's parking charge notice legally enforceable despite her Blue Badge status?

My pensioner partner has recently been issued with a PCN by Civil Enforcement Ltd. by post, for failing to display her Blue Badge whilst parking in a disabled bay on a Tesco car park in Leigh Lancs. No indication of this incident was given at the time. She was a passenger in her own car. She was there for approximately 20 minutes and the carpark was fairly empty. She had a stroke three years ago and is a little forgetful at times.

Civil Enforcement Ltd. have demanded £150 reduced to £75 if she pays within 28 days. This seems a huge amount for so small an incident. She has appealed to them explaining the circumstances, and supplying a copy of the badge, but they just aren't interested. Is the above legally enforceable? The company has threatened legal proceedings through the County Court if she doesn't pay up.

Asked on 6 February 2012 by CH, Leigh, Lancs

Answered by Honest John
It is legally enforceable. But some Tesco centres have a policy of contributing to charity any penalties for breaches of parking contracts on its land. That way, they enforce regulations to the benefit of customers in general and do not profit from them. Though how much of the penalty goes to charity and how much to the parking enforcement outfit I cannot tell you.
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