HOW can it be considered proportionate and fair if someone makes an error in putting the car registration into a parking machine, or for whatever reason forgets to purchase a ticket and then gets a penalty notice for a massive £100. 

In my case, recently, only part of the registration number was printed out.

The first two letters were missing!

I surely did not start entering my registration number missing out the first two digits.

The letter subsequently came in the post, ‘Failure to display a valid parking ticket’.

Luckily, my wife managed to retrieve the parking ticket from the bottom of our green recycling bin.

So, we then had proof that we had paid and saw that there was an incomplete registration number recorded.  Somewhat relieved, I sent this proof of purchase to CSPM. In reply I received a letter stating that if I paid an ‘administration fee’ of £20 by December 14, the matter would be considered settled, or pay £100 to reach by the 28th.

“If you wish to appeal against our decision you may be able to appeal to Parking on Private Land Appeals System (POPLA).

“If you appeal to POPLA and lose, any discounted amount will no longer be available: the full rate of £100 will be due.”

I paid the £20 rather than risk the £100 alternative fee if they had decided to reject my further appeal.

How right and fair and just is that?

I do intend to refer this to my MP, Jesse Norman.

Roy Little
Hereford