Since the days of legalisation in 1990s the parking control were given to the local councils from the police who has led to a sharp increase in the amount of parking ticket issued to motorists. This in turn has lead to a high increment in parking ticket appeal from the common people.
In the aftermath of decriminalization, it can be said that common people are starting to realize that the local councils are merely using the parking ticket issuance power vested on them, to generate revenue by way of parking fines and it is the very reason behind the increase in the number of parking tickets in recent times.
Another reason in favor of parking ticket appeal is that the parking fine mounts have also gone up considerably in recent times.
It is essential you contest every parking ticket, especially if you feel you should not have been given it. The appeal against your parking ticket is very easy and around 50% of these appeals are granted quite easily. The council dont even bother to appear most of the time while these appeals are being considered.
They do however serve a purpose. If no one was ever given one then there would be chaos on the high street. The local council will then have a much smaller budget for transport or will have no revenues since there will be no collection from the traffic fines which are a major income.
This the basic theory behind persuading people to accept parking tickets and imposing huge parking fines even if the motorist does not actually break the law. In the real world traffic wardens are under a lot of pressure to collect as much revenue as possible by issuing tickets to as many people as possible.
If you are a motorist thinking of parking in a public road or a public car park, firstly look for any nearby signs or road markings. If you are unsure of the place just do not park there to avoid the risk of a huge parking fine or having to appeal a parking ticket.
Writing a simple and basic letter to the local council is all there is to appealing a parking ticket, which is otherwise thought to be a hard task. Infact, so much so, that 90% of all drivers go ahead by paying the fine instead of appealing.
Is drafting a short letter or email so much of a hassle? Specially when it can save 30 120 pounds? Most drivers do not realize how easy it is to draft a letter. Moreover, there exists online companies who can explain the entire process to you or even sites who offer appeal templates or write the letter for you.
To make the parking approach successful you need to provide evidence that the ticket issued is legally invalid. Instances like photographs showing there were no signs or markings so that he could know it was a no parking zone. With almost two thirds of parking tickets being issued illegally, there stands a high chance of success.
Alternately, you can also appeal via the technicality way focusing on what is given in the parking ticket. For example, if Smith Street is provided as the name of the spot where you parked and in reality it was Smith Road, you can win your appeal by pressing the point that the contravention never happened.
A relatively new phenomenon is parking tickets issued from private parking ticket companies. Under these companies you get similar ticket as the warden gives you but it will say something distinctive from the original and legal issued one as Parking Charge Notice pay within 14 days for a reduced rate. Non payment will result in us contacting the D.V.L.A. for your details.
However these tickets have no legal basis. They are invoices inviting you to pay and you do not legally have to. Do not even bother to appeal your parking ticket with these private companies as they are likely to send you a threatening letter. These letters however should be ignored.
Euro Car Parks might be given as an example of a company which has never taken anybody to court for defaulting in fine payment.
And if in case you are taken to court by them, they will have to prove that you are a registered keeper otherwise they cannot show you as a party to their contract (entering their car park is entering their contract). Again, it has to be proven that you were driving at that time. Even if they manage to prove all this, they will be entitled to a mere 2 pounds for an hours extra parking.
So to conclude, you should never appeal a parking ticket from a private company even if you receive 3 or 4 threatening letters. Just ignore them or tell them you will get a court order against them for harassment.
Thus, one should never pay such fake parking charges without even trying. You should realize that you have a great chance of winning your appeals. You can visit the website below for more advice and help.