Letter from dcbl received last week giving 14 days to make payment of £307 as Debt Recovery on Unpaid CCJ.
This is pertaining to a Parkingeye notice issued in August 2025. It was challenged at the time, and rejected as usual. Was sent a POPLA reference which was used to write to them in October '25, but received no response from POPLA.
No other correspondence received at all until April 2026, when Driver moved from that address.
By that time, this matter had been forgotten - especially as there had been no relevant communication - thus, new address had not been forwarded.
This Debt Recovery letter dated 30/09/26 has been received at Driver's new address, and was a surprise, as there had been no contact in the many intervening months.
Driver has written to DPO of both PE & DCBL with new address notification, and subject access request, and intends to call Parkingeye for more information tomorrow, as they were closed when call made previously.
It appears that dcbl has proceeded to court with a Claim - without informing the Driver/Defendant.
If a CCJ has been made in absentia (obviously an unjust situation), how can it be pursued for a 'set aside' ?
As it's urgent, would greatly appreciate any advice.
In this case I am neither the driver nor the keeper.
A Parking Charge Invoice was sent, dated 15th September in relation to a photographed stop of 60 seconds at McDonalds Maresfield. These are new cameras. The vehicle stopped briefly before the drive in, whilst their order was sorted out on the App. The driver did not wish to block the drive through whilst they prepared their order. They were not aware of the new cameras.
After the invoice was received, I went to McDonalds on the keepers behalf on Saturday 26th September and discussed it with an assistant manager in store. She agreed that no payment was due and stated that she would get it cancelled. She said that she would email the parking company and myself.
I received no email so returned to the McDonalds on Saturday 3rd October and spoke with the same assistant manager. She told me that she had not emailed me because she had still not heard from the parking company. I asked her to email me anyway to say what was being done.
I still received no email, so returned to the McDonalds on Saturday 10th October. The same assistant manager told me that she still hadn't received a response from the parking company and that she would chase it up. No real response was given for why she hadn't emailed me as she said she would. I insisted that an email was sent same day to me, which she agreed to because the deadline for dealing with this was rapidly approaching (the following Tuesday).
Still no email received, so I returned on Sunday 11th October. The same Assistant Manager was on site. This time she "promised" me that she would send me an email the same day.
Again no email was received!!
Tomorrow marks 28 days from when the invoice was issued (15th September). I have nothing in writing from McDonalds saying this is being dealt with and the invoice should not be paid. Any advice on what I should do from here? Should I make a placeholder appeal, stating that McDonalds have advised the charge is being cancelled?
I attach the front and reverse of the invoice.
I also attach 3 of the 5 photos from online. (including the earliest timestamp and the latest timestamp - exactly 60 seconds). The red redactions are mine - the black redactions are as supplied.
This case concerns a Parking Charge Notice (private parking firm) issued by Close Unit Protection Services Ltd, relating to an alleged contravention on Wednesday, 22 April 2026. The notice itself is dated Monday, 24 August 2026, and I first became aware of it via received initial notice.
The notice appears to have been issued as By post (ANPR/camera). Driver identified status: NO. Equality Act considerations: No. The location is stated as 70 - 72 High Street Aveley, Essex, RM15 4BX.
A preliminary Protection of Freedoms Act (PoFA) assessment indicates NON_COMPLIANT: Likely outside PoFA paragraph 9 timing window. Route applied: PoFA paragraph 9 (postal NtK, no windscreen NtD). The notice is treated as given on Wednesday, 26 August 2026 (126 days after the alleged event). On this basis, keeper liability may not be established.
Current stage:
- Notice responded to: Yes
- Debt recovery letters: No
- Letter of Claim: No
- County Court claim: No
Response/appeal already sent (verbatim where possible):
Hello,
I received this Parking Charge Notice today, with notice date of 24/08/2026.
I attempted to appeal via the online form but it would not allow me to proceed.
The notice claims my vehicle was at 70 - 72 High Street Aveley, Essex, RM15 4BX at roughly 19:30pm on the 22th April 2026.
This is simply not possible - I have never travelled to Aveley, I also have records from my Google Maps tracking that show at that exact time I was nowhere near the vicinity of Aveley.
I'm uncertain if this is a fraudulent scam letter or a mistake in your systems.
I did receive a legitimate parking charge notice from you around this timeframe but my records show this was paid in full in May, at a reduced value of £60.
Additionally it was not from 70-72 High Street Aveley.
Please kindly inform me if this is not a genuine parking charge notice. If you believe it to be correct I can provide evidence that I was never at the above location.
Kind Regards
--------------------------------
Hello,
Following up on this again as I've not had a response to my email.
I did receive another notice today to which I called up again but was not able to resolve on the phone.
The receptionist said she would forward my details so I'm just sending another nudge in case the email was lost.
Regards
------------------------------
Response from CUP:
Hi <Name>
Thank you for your email regarding PCN Reference 327208
Please be advised that the Notice to Keeper (NTK) was issued on August 24, 2026, giving you 28 days to submit a formal appeal. As this period has now elapsed, the opportunity to challenge the notice has expired.
The NTK clearly outlined the process for submitting a valid appeal:
"You can pay or appeal this notice, you cannot do both. If you’d like to appeal this ParkingCharge Notice, you must do so within 28 days (beginning with the day after that on which this notice is given)"
Unfortunately, we are unable to reopen the appeal process once the designated timeframe has passed.
The Parking Charge Notice therefore remains payable. Failure to pay the amount may result in further costs being incurred and may also result in CUP Enforcement, reluctantly instructing a Debt Collection Agency to collect any sum due.
At this stage, we consider this matter closed and will not enter into further correspondence on this issue.
Any additional emails regarding the same matter may not receive a response.
Please arrange for payment to be made promptly to avoid further action.
Please refer to the link below to direct your payment.
Please note that you can also make a payment via telephone through the automated payment line- 0333 023 011
Best wishes,
CUP Enforcement
Additional notes provided:
I was never at the stated location, I have never been to the stated location nor anywhere within a few miles of the vicinity.
I have google tracking that shows I was somewhere else at that exact time. Albeit tracking data from my partner and not myself.
I attempted to contact CUP 4 times in the period, twice on the phone and twice on email. They were unable to help on the phone and ignored my emails until a week after the appeal period ended telling me that I could no longer appeal despite having already done so.
In a panic I generated an AI "legal-sounding" response which I somewhat regret now knowing about this forum.
Please can I have advice on the strongest next steps and defence points for this case.
As mentioned in my initial post in a panic I generated an AI response (don't lynch me please!) in hopes it would scare them off, but I was directed here after seeking advice elsewhere.
I also received a "Final Demand" letter today, dated 6th October.
Here is the AI response for visibility
Dear CUP Enforcement,
Re: PCN *** / Vehicle ***
I formally dispute this parking charge in full.
Having further reviewed the Notice to Keeper, there are significant issues concerning both the alleged parking event and the validity of the Notice to Keeper.
1. Notice to Keeper issued 124 days after the alleged event
Your notice states:
Contravention date: 22/04/2026
Notice date: 24/08/2026
The notice is therefore dated approximately 124 days after the alleged parking event.
The notice expressly identifies itself as a "Parking Charge Notice to Registered Keeper" and purports to rely upon registered keeper liability.
If you are seeking to rely upon Schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 to recover the charge from me as registered keeper, please explain how the Notice to Keeper complies with the applicable statutory timing requirements.
In particular, if this was a parking event detected remotely and no Notice to Driver was affixed to the vehicle, please explain how a Notice to Keeper dated 24 August 2026 can satisfy the requirement in paragraph 9 of Schedule 4 for the notice to be given within the prescribed period following the parking event.
If you contend that a Notice to Driver was issued on 22 April 2026, please provide a copy of that Notice to Driver and explain how the Notice to Keeper dated 24 August 2026 complies with paragraph 8 of Schedule 4.
For the avoidance of doubt, I do not admit that I was the driver.
2. The alleged parking event did not occur as alleged
I was not at 70–72 High Street, Aveley on 22 April 2026 at the alleged time.
I have Google Maps location history showing my location at the relevant time and will preserve this evidence for any subsequent appeal or proceedings.
I therefore require you to provide the complete photographic/ANPR evidence relied upon in issuing PCN 327208, including the original timestamps.
3. Possible duplication / incorrect photographic evidence
I previously received a separate parking charge from CUP which I paid earlier in the year.
The photographs supplied with this PCN appear substantially similar to photographs associated with that earlier matter.
I therefore require you to investigate whether the photographs and/or ANPR record associated with PCN 327208 have been incorrectly duplicated from another parking event or otherwise associated with the wrong parking charge.
Please preserve the original photographic and ANPR records for both matters.
4. My appeal was submitted within the permitted period
I attempted to submit an appeal through your online system shortly after receiving the Notice to Keeper.
The online appeal system would not allow me to proceed.
I then telephoned your office and explained the problem. I was advised by your receptionist that the issue could not be resolved over the telephone and that I should submit the appeal by email.
I followed that instruction and sent my substantive appeal to info@cupenforcement.com on 28 August 2026, only four days after the Notice to Keeper dated 24 August 2026.
That email clearly disputed the alleged parking event and explained that I had evidence showing that I was elsewhere.
I then followed up on 24 September 2026 after receiving a further notice and having received no response.
I have now received your response approximately five weeks after my original appeal, stating that the appeal period has expired.
I do not accept that position.
I attempted to appeal within the prescribed period, encountered a technical failure with your online system, followed the alternative procedure provided to me by your employee, and then waited for CUP to process my correspondence.
I therefore require CUP to reinstate and consider my appeal.
5. Information requested
Please provide:
The complete original ANPR/CCTV photographs relied upon for PCN 327208.
The exact date and time each image was captured.
The complete alleged period of parking.
Confirmation of whether a Notice to Driver was issued on 22 April 2026 and, if so, a copy.
The date CUP obtained my registered keeper details from the DVLA.
Confirmation of whether CUP relies upon Schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 for keeper liability.
The evidence relied upon to establish that the vehicle was at the stated location.
Confirmation that the photographic evidence has been checked against the separate PCN which I paid in May 2026.
Confirmation that all ANPR records, photographs, audit logs and correspondence relating to this PCN have been preserved.
I also request that this email is treated as a formal complaint concerning the handling of my attempted appeal.
I note that the BPA's current Code of Practice requires operators to have an appeals process and to consider appeals submitted outside the normal 28-day period where exceptional circumstances prevented the appeal being submitted within the normal timeframe.
The circumstances here are clear: I attempted to appeal within four days, your online system prevented me from doing so, your employee directed me to submit the appeal by email, and CUP then failed to respond to that appeal for approximately five weeks.
I therefore require the appeal to be reinstated and considered on its merits.
If CUP refuses to do so, please provide your final complaint response and the POPLA verification code so that I can refer the matter to the independent appeals service.
I do not accept liability for this charge and I do not consent to this dispute being treated as resolved merely because CUP has declined to respond to the substantive issues raised.
Kind regards,
Hi all, really hoping you can help and grateful for any response. I have received a ticket from UK CPM for not displaying a permit when parking in a space that is I have a right to park in via my lease. I cannot find the lease/wording in the lease about parking but have the schedule of car park spaces and bay allocations so it is a specific space.
I should have come here for advice first, but I complained to UK CPM (below) and separately complained to the managing agents who said: unfortunately we are unable to cancel the PCN, as it was issued in accordance with the site's parking regulations and the information provided.
My email to UK CPM:
I am writing to formally appeal Parking Charge Notice ***, issued at *** on ** August 2026 in relation to vehicle registration **. I am the leaseholder/resident of the property and have an existing contractual right to use the parking space associated with my property. I pay for the parking provision as part of my service charges. I am not aware of any term in my lease or other contractual documentation requiring me to display a UK CPM parking permit as a condition of exercising my existing right to park. The vehicle was parked in the parking space to which I am entitled. I was therefore an authorised user of that space and was exercising an existing contractual right, rather than seeking permission from UK Car Park Management Ltd to park. I acknowledge that a permit was not displayed on this particular occasion. I also acknowledge that the signage at the site states that a UK CPM permit must be displayed. However, I dispute that signage can unilaterally vary, qualify or override my pre-existing contractual rights under my lease. I was not a member of the general public seeking permission to park; I was exercising an existing right to park associated with my property. I do not accept that the absence of a displayed permit extinguishes or overrides that pre-existing right, particularly where I am not aware of any corresponding requirement in my lease. If UK CPM contends that a permit-display requirement nevertheless forms part of my contractual obligations, please identify the precise contractual provision upon which you rely and provide evidence of how and when that term became binding upon me. If you maintain that the charge is valid, please also provide: The contractual basis upon which UK Car Park Management Ltd is entitled to impose a parking charge upon a leaseholder exercising a pre-existing right to park; The agreement between UK CPM and the landowner, freeholder or management company which gives UK CPM authority to impose parking charges upon leaseholders exercising their existing parking rights; The specific provision in my lease, or other contractual documentation binding upon me, which requires me to display a UK CPM permit as a condition of exercising my right to park; The specific contractual provision which permits a £100 parking charge to be imposed for failure to display that permit; and A copy of the signage and terms relied upon by UK CPM, together with an explanation of how those terms are said to have been incorporated into my existing contractual relationship as a leaseholder. For the avoidance of doubt, I am not requesting a discretionary or goodwill cancellation. I am disputing the validity of the charge itself because I was exercising an existing contractual right to park. I therefore require Parking Charge Notice ** to be cancelled. Please confirm cancellation in writing.
UK CPM response:
Thank you for your appeal against the above Parking Charge Notice.
At UK CPM we consider all appeals on a case-by-case basis. We take each appeal very seriously and thoroughly investigate any evidence that has been provided. We appreciate your circumstances and understand this is not a situation anyone would like to find themselves in; however, these parking conditions have been put in place to ensure fair usage for all motorists and support the needs of our client. After careful consideration, it is unfortunate that I am writing to you today to advise that on this occasion, your appeal has been unsuccessful.
The decision to uphold your parking charge notice has been made on the following basis.
Whilst we note the comments and reason for appeal, as per our photographic evidence, the vehicle was parked in contravention of the advertised terms and conditions. As the vehicle was parked without a valid permit on display, we can confirm that this PCN has been issued correctly.
Either due to the reason for issue and/or the insufficient evidence provided to support the details of your appeal, we have considered this PCN and found that it does not fall under the category of Annex F the Appeals Charter of the Single Code of Practice.
You have now reached the end of our internal appeals procedure and therefore you now have two options; either pay or appeal to the Independent Appeals Service (IAS) - you cannot do both.
To make payment of the total amount due as shown above, please use one of the following payment options;
Post: Payments & Collections, PO Box 3114, Lancing, BN15 5BR
Alternatively, if you do not agree with your internal appeal outcome and you wish to dispute the matter further, as you have complied with our internal appeals procedure you may use, and we will engage with, the IAS Standard Appeals Service providing you lodge an appeal to them within 28 days of this rejection.
The Independent Appeals Service (www.theIAS.org) provides an Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme for disputes of this type. If you decide to appeal to the IAS, you will need to visit their website and use your PCN reference and corresponding vehicle registration. All PCN's will be uploaded to the IAS website by the end of this working day.
If you decide to engage with the Independent Appeals Service, any offer of a discount for early payment (if applicable) will be withdrawn. Should your appeal be unsuccessful or you chose to settle the parking charge prior to the appeal being determined, the full amount of the PCN will be payable. Please note that should you pay the parking charge prior to adjudication concluding, the appeal will be closed, and you will not be given a further opportunity to contest the charge.
If you do not wish to dispute the matter further and payment is not received within 28 days of the date of this correspondence then additional charges may be incurred, for which you may be liable. If the charge continues to remain outstanding, the matter may be later referred for litigation in the County Court which could result in a County Court Judgment being made against you; this may impact on your ability to obtain credit in the future.
I just received a PCN in the post from PPS for parking on private land, “not displaying a valid permit.”
I thought it was from an ANPR camera, however it was from a parking warden however they did not display it on my windscreen rather instead they sent it through the post.
Could anyone give me any advice on what to do/say.
Thank you.
Was parked here to do a delivery to a customer who I thought was there, but ended up actually not being able to find the customer at all, once again like my other PCN in the shopping centre, I couldn't find the customer, spent extra time to find them to not have to go back to the warehouse, I'm wondering if there's anything I can do, or can I just ignore this until the potential letter before claim?
I have no intention of contacting or paying until I get the letter before claim/judge thing as well.
This PCN was me parking somewhere where I know I'm not allowed to, I was just hungry, no other spaces to park and wanted kfc. What can I do if anything? I ignored it based on the advise here. But wondering what if anything I can do or just wait until the letter before claim comes in?
I shredded the original letters i got this is a new one I received today
I was parked here to do a parcel delivery, my first time in this confusing car park, I literally walk around for 20-30 minutes total to find the customer and then also to find my vehicle, finding my vehicle took me like 20 minutes, until I realised it was on the eastern side car park, I was on the western side, with the actual shop in the middle, wasn't sure which way it was so I took the wrong car park. Their cameras will literally see me with a parcel in my hand and wandering around confused on where to go., unless since it's been 9 months this would've been recorded over by now.
As you can see from the PCN letter, I have not responded to them at all, no intentions to pay anything. Just wondering since it's 9 months into it, what can I do if anything to make them go away?
This case concerns a Parking Charge Notice (private parking firm) issued by UK Parking Control Ltd, relating to an alleged contravention on Saturday, 26 September 2026. The notice itself is dated Wednesday, 30 September 2026, and I first became aware of it via received initial notice.
The notice appears to have been issued as By post (ANPR/camera). Driver identified status: NO. Equality Act considerations: No. The location is stated as Nine elms park - zone 1 - moat lane..
A preliminary Protection of Freedoms Act (PoFA) assessment indicates COMPLIANT: Likely PoFA timing compliant for paragraph 9 (postal NtK, no windscreen NtD). Route applied: PoFA paragraph 9 (postal NtK, no windscreen NtD). The notice is treated as given on Friday, 02 October 2026 (6 days after the alleged event).
Current stage:
- Notice responded to: No
- Debt recovery letters: No
- Letter of Claim: No
- County Court claim: No
Additional notes provided:
n/a
Please can I have advice on the strongest next steps and defence points for this case.
