As I said, the current penalties are excessive and that has been proved in court. I don't deny that the PPCs should have rules in place, but with current legislation and contract law (any penalty for a breach should only reflect the actual loss) they are limited to enforcement by demanding large sums with notices and letters.
Notices and letters that are often worded to imply they have stronger legal backing than is actually the case. Notices and letters that increase the sum demanded each time a new one is sent. Notices and letters that even sometimes incorrectly quote legislation in an attempt to bluff money out of the unwary.
If the PPCs want to be able to legitimately charge these penalties, then they should lobby for changes in legislation.
And I disagree that my suggestions of paying for occupying two spaces or twice the daily parking fee by way of a penalty is not a deterrent. PPCs might actually then get the backing of the courts under current contract legislation. If it works for the railways with Penalty Fares.....
I didn't make a suggestion about barriers and staffing. I asked whether this was the case with the car park in Oxford. And pay on exit can be a solution. No need for permanent staff on each site. Capital costs would be installation of barriers and pay on exit machines. Those capital costs can be absorbed by reducing the need for regular monitoring by inspectors and reducing the need for Roxburghe/Graham White Solicitors. Smart cards or unique IDs can be issued for parking season tickets.
At the moment the PPCs are sticking with letter chains because the business model shows that they are getting an adequate return from those who bow to the baseless threats. So I have no problems re-iterating my personal advice that, provided the 'Civil Parking Notice' (or similarly worded) comes from a PPC who want the penalty to come to them, then it is safe to ignore, throw in the bin, say 'my dog ate it', make confetti or a paper aeroplane with it....
If anyone is unsure about their legal position and wants advice then these are good places to start:
http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showforum=60http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/private-parking-ticketsFinally, returning to the issue of parking over the lines. Yes, this is inconsiderate but as you said yourself, Oxman, some car parks have spaces narrower than the recommended width. And denying the PPC the revenue from that space only becomes an issue and a loss for the PPC when it is the last available space in the car park.
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