Since the days of abolishing criminal penalties in the 1990s, parking control went into the hands of the local councillors. Since then there has been a sharp rise in the amount of parking tickets issued to motorists and more and more people are appealing against them.
There are arguments and scepticism regarding this huge amount of parking tickets. Many people claim that local Authorities and the subcontractors carry out collection of revenue fines just to increase their revenue and this is the reason behind the increase of parking ticket issuance year by year.
Another reason in favor of parking ticket appeal is that the parking fine mounts have also gone up considerably in recent times.
Since the local council representatives do not even turn up at appeal hearings and 50% of all motorists anyways win their appeals, it is a wise decision to appeal against a ticket which you feel was issued unfairly on you.
But also remember that the parking tickets also have some value since without them the roads would turn into chaotic points. Moreover, without the revenue that parking fines generate, local councils would have had to run on low budgets which might have resulted in a subsequent tax increase.
This is the theory behind issuing a parking ticket and imposing parking fines for collecting transport revenues even if one does not break the law. There is actually a hidden target with the wardens and local road officials to issue more and more tickets to unsuspecting motorists and claim money.
So if any motorist or driver thinks of parking his car in a public place where there is no sign saying he is permitted to park, he should avoid parking there as it is likely to be a trap. Its really not worth the risk of getting a huge parking fine or having to appeal a parking ticket.
To appeal for a parking is not a very hard procedure. But in spite of these easy steps 99% people are still paying their parking fine. All it takes a simple letter to the local council or if you are lucky, then one very quick and easy email.
Hopefully, drafting a short mail or letter should not be too much of a hassle for you especially when it can save 30 120 pounds. Most drivers are unaware of the ease in drafting this letter. You have numerous companies who explain the entire process to you online. There are even sites who offer appeal templates or even draft the letter on your behalf.
Now to ensure you are successful you will need some kind of evidence. You could for example have photographs showing that there were no signs at the place where you parked; or that there was a sign which shows you were parking legally. In this way with near two thirds of parking tickets being distributed illegally there stands a big chance for you!
Using evidence of photograph is one option, but besides one can also use a technicality to aid appealing a parking ticket. Common technicalities are to do things mentioned in the parking ticket. Suppose if you got a ticket which mentioned you were parked in Church Street while in reality you were in Church road. Thus you could argue about the contravention never occurred winning your parking appeal.
Private Parking Tickets are again a relatively new concept wherein you are issued a identical ticket in a similar manner to what traffic wardens give you saying that you need to pay an amount within such date, etc.
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.
To make my point more clear let me tell you one instance of a company called euro car parks where they have never taken anyone to court for non payment of parking fines.
If in case you are taken to court there are several things that they need to prove therein. Firstly, they need to prove you as their registered keeper to show you as a party to their contract (entering their car park means that you have entered a contract with them). Secondly, it has to be proven that you were driving at that time. If all of this is proven, even then what theyll be entitled to is a mere 2 pounds for an hours extra parking.
They might send you several threatening letters but just ignore them and never pay. Infact you can also threaten them in turn saying that you will take court action for such continuing harassment. You will see they will gradually disappear.
As with other parking tickets do not pay them without first getting advice from a parking appeals company.