Forum Topic

Parking fine advice please

My sister in law came to visit on Monday afternoon. I paid (via RingGo) for a parking permit for her from 12.30 to 17.30pm. She was issued with a ticket at 16.20. I have proof of payment, so that's not a problem. I rang RingGO (at great expense) and they said we have to appeal to LB Ealing. My question is about appeals - do we pay the fine and then appeal or how does it work? Advice for a non car owning person gratefully received!

Chris Hurley ● 4577d7 Comments

Don't pay. Email parking at Ealing Council with the penalty notice number and scanned proof of payment, explaining the situation, threatening to go to appeal if they do not quash it (others on this forum have used this process successfully and can advise if it comes to that) and ask for the warden who issued the ticket to be spoken to (this is incompetence on someone's part). Copy to your councillor and Bassam Mahfouz as councillor responsible for parking; by the sounds of it, he should be asking questions about the competence of the ticket issuing process.

Vlod Barchuk ● 4577d

Chris,If you are sure you are in the right then do not pay the fine.  Typically the council takes this as an admission of guilt and will almost never give it back.  You can make an informal appeal and hopefully they will be able to cancel the ticket.If not make a formal appeal.  If that fails go to PATAS.  Only pay at the end.  All this is hassle.  Check your facts very carefully before you put the work in.  The worst that can happen is you have to pay a full fine.  The best is that you pay nothing.  There are no court costs or further fines, but similarly no damages to claim.  It is a relatively simple, low cost, low risk process.

Phil Taylor ● 4577d

Thanks guys

Chris Hurley ● 4577d

The chaps are right: never pay the fine if you don't owe it - that's the end of the matter as far as the council is concerned.I've never lost one I have fought (but don't fight when I am bang to rights!) You just have to persist, patiently, implacably but NEVER rudely. Even PATAS isn't so bad. Just don't give in. Roger has fought a fair few too I think so you can consult him (or the master of them all: Richard Jennings mostly of the Chiswick forum)

Sara Nathan ● 4577d

It worked - they have cancelled the fine. Result! Thanks for all the advice.

Chris Hurley ● 4576d

Blimey! That was quick. You must have been very persuasive

Sara Nathan ● 4576d

I had right (and Councillor Gary Malcolm) on my side:)

Chris Hurley ● 4576d