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#Post#: 77919--------------------------------------------------
Re: Northern Penalty Parking Notice
DIR By: Sabab4321
Date: June 24, 2025, 9:07 am
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Thank you so much
Well understood
#Post#: 83899--------------------------------------------------
Re: Northern Penalty Parking Notice
DIR By: Sabab4321
Date: August 3, 2025, 11:02 am
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Good evening
I received the attached letter from the debt recovery and
prosecution unit.
Please any advice on how to proceed.
Thank you
[attachment deleted by admin]
#Post#: 83919--------------------------------------------------
Re: Northern Penalty Parking Notice
DIR By: b789
Date: August 3, 2025, 1:00 pm
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On Friday 8th August (make a not in your diary) you should send
the following email to DRPU@northernrailway.co.uk and also CC in
yourself:
--- Quote ---
> Debt Recovery & Prosecutions Unit
> Northern Trains Limited
> FREEPOST NEA 3188
> Bradford
> BD1 1BR
>
> By email to: DRPU@northernrailway.co.uk
>
> Dear Sir/Madam,
>
> Re: Notice to Owner – Penalty Parking Notice No. [Insert
Number]
>
> Date of Issue: 23 June 2025 – Barnsley Station
>
> I write in relation to your recent correspondence regarding
the above parking notice. I am the registered keeper of the
vehicle referred to, and I am responding without prejudice as to
the identity of the driver or owner.
>
> The vehicle was parked at Barnsley Station on the date in
question during a journey using Northern rail services. Prior to
travel, information publicly available online indicated that
station parking was free for rail users. Upon arrival at the
station, no payment machine was visible, which appeared to
confirm that understanding. The absence of clear signage or
prominent instructions did not alert the driver to any
requirement to register the vehicle at the station reception.
>
> It was only upon return that the driver became aware of the
parking notice. A subsequent enquiry with station staff
revealed, for the first time, that vehicle registration was
required at the reception desk to avoid a penalty — a
requirement that was not clearly conveyed by any signage
encountered.
>
> This appears to have been a genuine misunderstanding caused by
inadequate or non-prominent signage, compounded by a lack of
prior experience using this particular station. In the
circumstances, I would respectfully request that Northern Trains
exercise discretion and cancel the notice. The railway byelaws
are intended to regulate intentional misuse of station
facilities, not to penalise first-time users acting in good
faith based on incomplete or unclear information.
>
> Should you decline to cancel the notice, please be advised
that I do not accept liability and do not intend to make
payment. Any attempt to pursue this matter further would require
Northern Trains to prove, beyond reasonable doubt, that the
legal owner of the vehicle committed the alleged offence. As you
will be aware, the DVLA registration document (V5C) is not proof
of ownership.
>
> I trust you will give due consideration to this request for
discretion. Please confirm in writing whether the penalty has
been cancelled.
>
> Yours faithfully,
>
> [Your Full Name]
--- End Quote ---
There is no proper appeal process for this type of notice. It's
not like a parking ticket from a private company or a council
where there's a set appeals system you can follow. This is a
Penalty Notice under railway byelaws, and the only real way they
can enforce it is by taking the case to the Magistrates' Court.
So, writing to Northern isn't a legal appeal — it's just asking
them to use their discretion to cancel the notice. You're not
arguing over a charge that can be appealed like a fine. You're
politely asking them to drop it based on the circumstances: that
the driver was a first-time visitor, used the train, didn’t see
any clear signs, and made an honest mistake.
This kind of letter sometimes works because companies like
Northern do have the power to cancel these notices if they think
it’s fair to do so. But again, it’s not a formal appeal — you’re
simply asking for them to show some flexibility. The letter has
to be worded carefully so it doesn’t admit anything or make
things worse.
The letter is being sent near the final deadline to give
Northern as little time as possible to take the matter to court.
They are issued under railway byelaws and can only be enforced
by taking someone to the Magistrates' Court within six months of
the alleged offence. That deadline is 23 December 2025 in this
case.
The keeper is not legally required to identify the driver or pay
the notice. The law says that only the owner of the vehicle can
be liable, and the registered keeper is not automatically the
owner. Northern would have to prove who the owner is and that
they were responsible for the parking incident, and they must
prove it beyond reasonable doubt, which is a very high standard.
The letter being sent does not admit who was driving and does
not admit who owns the vehicle. It simply explains that this was
a misunderstanding caused by poor signage and asks Northern to
cancel the notice out of fairness. The wording is careful so it
cannot be used to suggest that the keeper was the driver.
The idea is to appear reasonable without giving away any useful
information. By waiting until the last possible day to respond,
it also shortens the time Northern have to take any legal
action. If they do nothing before the six-month deadline, the
case is over and cannot be pursued.
#Post#: 83934--------------------------------------------------
Re: Northern Penalty Parking Notice
DIR By: Sabab4321
Date: August 3, 2025, 2:32 pm
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Thank you so much
I will note the date on my diary and do the needful
#Post#: 83935--------------------------------------------------
Re: Northern Penalty Parking Notice
DIR By: Sabab4321
Date: August 3, 2025, 2:37 pm
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The letter sent said 14 days and not working days
Will 8th August not fall after the 14days period
Just asking for clarification
Thank you
#Post#: 83939--------------------------------------------------
Re: Northern Penalty Parking Notice
DIR By: b789
Date: August 3, 2025, 2:52 pm
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It says 14 days of RECEIPT. Allow 2 working days for service.
You can send it a day or two earlier if you wish. Won't make a
huge difference.
#Post#: 83947--------------------------------------------------
Re: Northern Penalty Parking Notice
DIR By: Sabab4321
Date: August 3, 2025, 3:26 pm
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Noted thank you
#Post#: 84546--------------------------------------------------
Re: Northern Penalty Parking Notice
DIR By: Sabab4321
Date: August 7, 2025, 4:47 am
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Good morning all
I sent the email yesterday and I received the response below
today. Any advice on what to do next
Thanks
Good morning,
Thank you for the correspondence below.
Notices can only be discussed with the driver unless they
provide permission to discuss the matter on their behalf with a
designated person.
Should the driver wish for you to appeal on their behalf they
will need to email this permission or contact the office on
01904 568 181.
Please note, should no permission be received within the next 7
days the matter will proceed accordingly.
Yours Sincerely,
Suzanne
For the Unit Manager
#Post#: 84598--------------------------------------------------
Re: Northern Penalty Parking Notice
DIR By: b789
Date: August 7, 2025, 8:33 am
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The reply from Northern Trains’ Debt Recovery & Prosecutions
Unit (DRPU) is a common attempt to pressure a response from the
driver, despite the fact that:
[indent]• There is no legal obligation for the registered keeper
to identify the driver under Railway Byelaw 14; and
• Liability under the byelaw attaches only to the driver or the
owner, not the registered keeper, and ownership must be proven
beyond reasonable doubt in a criminal court if they pursue
prosecution.[/indent]
Northern’s response is designed to bait you, the keeper, into
identifying the driver or giving “permission” for the keeper to
act on their behalf — both of which would compromise your
strategic position by effectively admitting driver identity. Do
not do either.
Send this (preferably on day 6 or 7) to maintain the timing
strategy. Also CC it to yourself:
--- Quote ---
> Subject: Re: Penalty Parking Notice [Insert Number]
>
> Dear Suzanne,
>
> Thank you for your response.
>
> I am the registered keeper of the vehicle and am responding
solely in that capacity. I do not intend to identify the driver,
nor am I under any legal obligation to do so.
>
> My earlier correspondence stands and was made without
prejudice as to the identity of the driver or owner. As no
further liability is accepted, and in the absence of any
clarification regarding the signage or basis for enforcement, I
consider the matter closed unless and until formal proceedings
are issued.
>
> Yours faithfully,
>
> [Your Full Name]
--- End Quote ---
Key Points to Understand
Do not give permission for the DRPU to speak to anyone else "on
your behalf". You’re not appealing — you’re responding to a
penalty invitation and asserting your rights as the registered
keeper, nothing more.
Do not answer their phone number. It's designed to extract
admissions or gather evidence. Keep all correspondence strictly
in writing.
Byelaw prosecution must be commenced within 6 calendar months of
the alleged offence (in this case, by 23 December 2025). Until
then, you continue the strategy of delaying without admitting.
They may send further letters or demands. You only need to
respond once more, and only if they issue a formal Notice of
Intended Prosecution or initiate a Magistrates' Court summons —
both of which are rare.
Let me know if they escalate or send another communication.
#Post#: 84605--------------------------------------------------
Re: Northern Penalty Parking Notice
DIR By: Sabab4321
Date: August 7, 2025, 8:57 am
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Thank you so much
I will note the date on my diary and keep you informed
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