I know something like this has been covered before but I cannot seem to find the thread.

Basically I have been issused a parking fine for parking my company BMW in Mcdonalds car park on the outskirts of Heathrow Airport. I did go into Mcdonalds to buy a drink and was in the car all the time I was simply waiting in the car park for an arrival. The parking fine is for £50 issued by Metopolitan Parking with a threat that if it is not paid by the 18/2 this will increase to £100. The reason for issue is that I exceeded the 60 min free parking time in the free carpark and was parked for a total of 154 minutes, a picture of my car is included with the fine.

I didnt see any warning signs to the effect of no parking over 60 minutes, although safely assume they are there, so do I need to pay it? This is like wheel clamping with no clamp

Edit more info:

Parking Charge Notice No: MP8154XXXX
Issue date: 4/2/10
Contravention Date: 6/1/10
Limited free stay period: 60 minutes
Actual length of stay: 154 minutes at McDonald’s, 15 Mondial Way, South Hayes UB3 5AR.

£50 payable by 18 Feb otherwise charge will be £100.

You can pay on line at www.metpark.co.uk

Or phone: 0845 370 8003. You need vehicle reg and parking charge notice number.

 

It's a civil penalty, so if you don't pay technically they can take it to court.

Whether any of these parking companies ever do I don't know - doubtful I would think given the costs.

They rely on enough people paying up without thinking about it to cover their admin costs.

 

IIRC the particular place you were given a ticket has been discussed at length on Pepipoo.

 

Moggy I am looking at the forum now, do you have a link?

 

Adrian I take it you didnt you notice any signs?, a common trick is hide a miniscule sign somewhere obscure to delibretly fine people.

 

Not the one I mentioned but have a look here.

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showto...politan+parking

and do a search for "Metropolitan Parking"

In a nutshell, ignore.

 

In essence, it's a contract issue

You have broken a contract (assuming it was fair and clearly displayed etc, but let's say it was)

They have the right to whatever the contract specified - £50 or whatever

However....

They need to prove you were driving the car

You don't need to admit that you were

This is where things differ from a ticket issued on public land - the owner of the car is liable. In this case the driver of the car is liable.

I would ignore it - but be prepared for all sorts of stroppy letters and threats

You can write back to them and say you have no idea who was driving the car and ask them to stop harassing you

Then it's just a question of waiting for them to give up

 

Thanks I have decided I am not paying, even though I am bound now to receive 6 months of abusive letters. I did buy something from McDonalds and could likely prove it. I can also afford to risk this going to court, as I dont plan to be in the country in 6 months anyway so they can sod off.......

 

I didnt see any signs but fully assume they are there. If I had of known I wouldn't have parked over the 60 minutes, but the car park was full of snow and ice and deserted at the time, I will see if I can post a scan of the ticket when it gets forwarded on to me

 

I'd ignore it and if they do decide to proceed with a court summons to recover the fine then claim that you are a slow eater as your defence.

They rely on those that are intimidated by the threat to pay up without question. If you ignore it then nothing will happen as it costs them too much to pursue it to make it worthwhile and there are easier prey to pursue.