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Why is UKPC now threatening to take me to court over an unpaid parking charge?
Thank you for publishing my complaint about the parking charge made by UKPC. Following months of harassment made by this company, and despite the email and letters I have made in response, they are still pursuing me and now their agent is threatening to take me to court. I have replied to their Debt Recovery Agent as follows:
"For the attention of the Litigation Manager, I acknowledge your letter of 1st. Inst. I have already responded to UKPC, once by email and three times by letter. I have provided proof to them (from my doctor) that I was seriously disabled because of pain and unable to walk any distance and therefore have a "Blue Badge". At the time that the parking charge was made (09/07/2001) I had to park as close as possible to the entrance door of the store to which I needed to visit. I parked for a few minutes. I accept that I did not park in a disabled parking space but these are not immediately adjacent to the store entrance. Other stores have disabled spaces immediately next to their entrance doors e.g. B & Q. This store is directly opposite the George Richard Way Car Park and is also operated by UKPC. At the time of my "offence" there was no parking attendant available to whom I could explain my predicament. I did not cause any obstruction to other vehicles or pedestrians (See their photograph of my "offence").
"In my replies to UKPC I enclosed a copy of the North-West Ambulance Service Report dated only three days after UKPC issued their parking charge (17/07/2011). On that evening my partner had to dial 999 to have paramedics attend me. I could not move because of severe pain. I have had two major spine operations, the latest in February this year. I am due to attend Wrightington Hospital for a further operation in the New Year, again for pain. I have furnished UKPC with all this documentary evidence. The only correspondence I have received from UKPC has clearly been standard letters which, at best, have been signed by "scribbles" and marked "Appeals Department, UK Parking Control" Limited.
"Under these circumstances I am not prepared to pay any charge made by UKPC and have informed them so. I am quite prepared for County Court proceedings to be issued against me and request that whichever court you select as their agent be convenient for me to attend. Yours faithfully, JB."
"For the attention of the Litigation Manager, I acknowledge your letter of 1st. Inst. I have already responded to UKPC, once by email and three times by letter. I have provided proof to them (from my doctor) that I was seriously disabled because of pain and unable to walk any distance and therefore have a "Blue Badge". At the time that the parking charge was made (09/07/2001) I had to park as close as possible to the entrance door of the store to which I needed to visit. I parked for a few minutes. I accept that I did not park in a disabled parking space but these are not immediately adjacent to the store entrance. Other stores have disabled spaces immediately next to their entrance doors e.g. B & Q. This store is directly opposite the George Richard Way Car Park and is also operated by UKPC. At the time of my "offence" there was no parking attendant available to whom I could explain my predicament. I did not cause any obstruction to other vehicles or pedestrians (See their photograph of my "offence").
"In my replies to UKPC I enclosed a copy of the North-West Ambulance Service Report dated only three days after UKPC issued their parking charge (17/07/2011). On that evening my partner had to dial 999 to have paramedics attend me. I could not move because of severe pain. I have had two major spine operations, the latest in February this year. I am due to attend Wrightington Hospital for a further operation in the New Year, again for pain. I have furnished UKPC with all this documentary evidence. The only correspondence I have received from UKPC has clearly been standard letters which, at best, have been signed by "scribbles" and marked "Appeals Department, UK Parking Control" Limited.
"Under these circumstances I am not prepared to pay any charge made by UKPC and have informed them so. I am quite prepared for County Court proceedings to be issued against me and request that whichever court you select as their agent be convenient for me to attend. Yours faithfully, JB."
Asked on 3 March 2012 by JB, B.Sc., M.Sc., via email
Answered by
Honest John
If they think they will be able to successfully take action against you in court they are idiots. I think the judge will find for you and possibly issue a penalty against them. We will certainly publish the judgement and let the world know of their despicable and inhumane behaviour. The British Parking Association has asked that anyone aggrieved by the behaviour of a private parking enforcement company should report the matter using www.britishparking.co.uk/AOS-Enquiries
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