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#Post#: 81390--------------------------------------------------
Carpark Securities PCN - Overstayed Ticket - Whiston Hospital
Car Park, Whiston
DIR By: Dr-Perry-Cox
Date: July 17, 2025, 4:07 am
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[left]Good Morning,
I, the registered keeper & vehicle owner, recieved the below PCN
from a private company for a driver overstaying in a car park.
A payment for 2 hours was made via the RingGo app.
The driver overstayed by 12m & 19s, they were visiting a sick
relative and didn't realise how long the journey back to the car
park would take them.
Hoping someone is able to offer some advice on how to
(successfully) appeal.
Thank you in advance.
HTML https://i.imgur.com/psQhtCa.jpeg[/left]
#Post#: 81395--------------------------------------------------
Re: Carpark Securities PCN - Overstayed Ticket - Whiston
Hospital Car Park, Whiston
DIR By: jfollows
Date: July 17, 2025, 4:37 am
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Contact PALS first and ask them to cancel it for you.
Otherwise, there is no “period of parking” specified so PoFA
2012 can not be used to transfer liability from the driver to
the registered keeper. But that’s more hassle.
#Post#: 81397--------------------------------------------------
Re: Carpark Securities PCN - Overstayed Ticket - Whiston
Hospital Car Park, Whiston
DIR By: DWMB2
Date: July 17, 2025, 4:48 am
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--- Quote from: jfollows link ---
>
> Otherwise, there is no “period of parking” specified
>
--- End Quote ---
There's legible timestamps on the ANPR photos, which could be
used to argue a period of parking has been specified. One could
make the counter-argument that it should be printed separately
on the notice of course, but it's a potentially weaker argument
than some cases we see.
PALS is definitely a wise place to start.
#Post#: 81399--------------------------------------------------
Re: Carpark Securities PCN - Overstayed Ticket - Whiston
Hospital Car Park, Whiston
DIR By: Dr-Perry-Cox
Date: July 17, 2025, 5:18 am
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Perfect, thank you very much.
I will update if there's anything more.
thanks again. :)
#Post#: 81589--------------------------------------------------
UPDATE - Carpark Securities PCN - Overstayed Ticket - Whiston
Hospital Car Park, Whiston
DIR By: Dr-Perry-Cox
Date: July 18, 2025, 10:13 am
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Good Afternoon,
I have recieved the following back from PALS at the hospital
after asking them to cancel the ticket:
"This car park is not managed by our Trust, nor do any of our
car park attendants carry out any patrols of the parking area or
view the machines. We have asked for legal advice regarding
this car park to see if they can remove the very misleading
signage but have been told there is nothing legally, we can do
because they have not used the NHS logo.
We have asked for information regarding this to go on our
website, so people are made aware that this is not a Trust car
park and this is in the process of being added.
I can only apologise that there is nothing more we as a trust
can do regarding this issue."
I have checked Google Maps to see if I can find pics of the car
park but they are 3x years old and not up to date, the actual
car park backs onto an area used for staff parking that's permit
holders only so I can't provide pics of the signage without
travelling for an hour each way.
Given this, is there anything I can do to fight the ticket based
on available information?
Thank you in advance.
Original post:
--- Quote from: Dr-Perry-Cox link ---
>
> [left]Good Morning,
>
> I, the registered keeper & vehicle owner, recieved the below
PCN from a private company for a driver overstaying in a car
park.
>
> A payment for 2 hours was made via the RingGo app.
> The driver overstayed by 12m & 19s, they were visiting a sick
relative and didn't realise how long the journey back to the car
park would take them.
>
> Hoping someone is able to offer some advice on how to
(successfully) appeal.
> Thank you in advance.
>
>
HTML https://i.imgur.com/psQhtCa.jpeg[/left]
>
--- End Quote ---
#Post#: 81662--------------------------------------------------
Re: Carpark Securities PCN - Overstayed Ticket - Whiston
Hospital Car Park, Whiston
DIR By: b789
Date: July 19, 2025, 5:18 am
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Make the following form complaint to Rob Cooper, the CEO of the
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
Use this contact form:
HTML https://so.merseywestlancs.nhs.uk/ask-chief-exec
Put the following into the 'message' section:
--- Quote ---
> Re: Parking Charge Notice Reference [Insert Reference Number]
issued by Car Park Securities Ltd at Whiston Hospital
>
> Dear Mr Cooper,
>
> I am submitting this formal complaint concerning the Parking
Charge Notice issued by Car Park Securities Ltd in relation to a
vehicle parked at Whiston Hospital. The notice refers to
“Whiston Hospital Car Park,” yet PALS has asserted that the
Trust neither owns nor manages the site. This response fails to
address the deeper issue: whether the car park forms part of the
hospital campus under a Private Finance Initiative arrangement,
and whether the Trust retains oversight of its agents.
>
> As Chief Executive, you will be aware that infrastructure
including car parks is operated via contractual partners such as
Medirest under the NewHospitals PFI. Enforcement is
subcontracted to firms like Car Park Securities Ltd, and while
the Trust may not manage this directly, the NHS Car Parking
Guidance 2022 makes it absolutely clear: NHS organisations are
responsible for the conduct of contractors operating on their
behalf.
>
> Allowing a third-party to issue misleading notices with
references to Whiston Hospital — without signage disclaiming NHS
control — creates reputational and legal risk. Patients and
visitors cannot reasonably distinguish this car park from
genuine Trust-managed facilities. The guidance prohibits
incentive-based contracts and demands action against rogue
operators. Failure to do so falls at the feet of the Trust.
>
> The response from PALS was dismissive and inadequate. Their
assertion that the Trust cannot act because the NHS logo wasn’t
used is unacceptable. If the car park is physically part of the
hospital site, on NHS land, or operated under Trust-sanctioned
contractual arrangements, it is the Trust’s responsibility to
ensure fairness and clarity. PALS should have escalated, not
deflected.
>
> I am therefore requesting:
>
> - Confirmation of the land ownership and contractual structure
involving Car Park Securities Ltd
> - Immediate instruction to your agent to cancel the PCN
referenced below
> - Amendment or removal of signage that creates misleading NHS
association
> - Disclosure of any income arrangements linked to parking
charge enforcement
> - An apology for PALS’ dismissive handling and failure to
engage the relevant internal departments
> - Assurance that Trust oversight will be strengthened moving
forward
>
> Please confirm acknowledgment of this complaint within five
working days and confirm what action will be taken. Should this
issue remain unresolved, I will escalate it further to NHS
England, the DVLA and relevant regulatory bodies.
>
> Yours sincerely,
>
> [Your Full Name]
> PCN Reference [Insert Reference Number]
> Keeper of Vehicle Registration [XXX]
> Date: [Insert Date]
--- End Quote ---
#Post#: 81784--------------------------------------------------
Re: Carpark Securities PCN - Overstayed Ticket - Whiston
Hospital Car Park, Whiston
DIR By: Dr-Perry-Cox
Date: July 20, 2025, 8:38 am
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Thank you very much, I will advise how I get on :)
#Post#: 82058--------------------------------------------------
Re: Carpark Securities PCN - Overstayed Ticket - Whiston
Hospital Car Park, Whiston
DIR By: Dr-Perry-Cox
Date: July 22, 2025, 3:38 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Good Morning,
Quicker response than I expected from the CEO, please see below:
Thank you for your email in relation to the PCN notice you have
been issued with.
I can confirm that the information provided by PALs is correct,
and the car park on Dragon Lane is operated by a private
contractor who has no commercial or financial relationship with
the Trust, and therefore we are unable to help in relation to
the parking charge notice (PCN0) that was issued by Car Park
Securities LTD.
There are two car parks on Dragon Lane both accessed via the
same entrance. The first is a staff car park for MWL staff,
which is managed on our behalf by Medirest as part of the PFI.
This is leased land and not owned by the Trust, nor is it part
of the trust campus. The second area at the top of the car park
nearest to Warrington Road has been sold by the landowner to a
private contractor, who has developed the land as a pay and
display car park. As stated, there is no relationship between
the provider of this car park and the Trust. I understand that
advertising this as a Whiston Hospital car park may be
misleading, but there is clear signage in the car park itself
setting out the terms of use.
The Trust website also clearly states that this car park is not
managed by the Trust - Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching
Hospitals NHS Trust STHK | Whiston Hospital
Car parking at Whiston Hospital for Patients and Visitors​
Please note: The new car park constructed on Dragon Lane (the
old Dragon pub site, adjacent to a Trust staff car park) is not
managed by the Trust. This area and the yellow hatched lines
leading up to the car park are owned by a private company.
If you park in this area and do not pay the fee specified, this
may result in a fixed penalty being issued by this private
company. The Trust has no influence over any fines or charges
associated with this car park.
Trust car parking is available for patients and visitors in the
Multi Storey Car Park off Warrington Road, by the Accident and
Emergency Department off Dragon Lane and by the paediatric
entrance off Stoney Lane. There is also a dedicated disabled car
park at the front of the hospital main entrance and also
disabled spaces available within the multi storey, Accident and
Emergency and paediatric car parks.
For your information, the Trust (and its partners) do not
currently use PCNs to manage car parking on the Whiston Hospital
site.
I am very sorry I am unable to assist you further but hope this
response has answered your concerns about the situation.
Yours sincerely
Rob
Rob Cooper
Chief Executive
Would anyone please be able to advise if there are any next
steps I could take to challenge?
#Post#: 82110--------------------------------------------------
Re: Carpark Securities PCN - Overstayed Ticket - Whiston
Hospital Car Park, Whiston
DIR By: b789
Date: July 22, 2025, 8:16 am
---------------------------------------------------------
What led the driver to believe that the car park was part of the
hospital campus?
I'd respond with something like this:
--- Quote ---
> To: Rob Cooper, Chief Executive Officer
> Subject: Response to Your Dismissal of PCN Complaint – Trust
Accountability Not Optional
>
> Dear Mr Cooper,
>
> Thank you for your response. Unfortunately, it does not
withstand scrutiny.
>
> You confirm that the car park in question is adjacent to
Whiston Hospital, accessed via the same entrance as
Trust-managed facilities, and that it is being advertised — by
the operator — as “Whiston Hospital Car Park”. You also admit
this is misleading. That alone should trigger intervention.
>
> The fact that the land has been sold does not absolve the
Trust of responsibility for the consequences of allowing a
private enforcement scheme to operate under the implied banner
of NHS infrastructure. Patients, visitors, and staff are being
misled into believing this car park is part of the hospital
campus. That confusion is not theoretical — it is real, and it
is being exploited for profit.
>
> The NHS Car Parking Guidance 2022 makes it clear: NHS
organisations are responsible for the actions of contractors
operating on or adjacent to their premises. That includes taking
action against rogue operators and preventing misleading
signage. The Trust’s duty is not limited to land it owns — it
extends to protecting the public from confusion caused by
proximity and implied affiliation.
>
> Your website disclaimer is a weak afterthought. It does
nothing to help those already caught out. There is no visible
disclaimer at the site entrance. There is no effort to challenge
the operator’s branding. And there is no indication that the
Trust has even contacted Car Park Securities Ltd to demand they
stop using the hospital’s name.
>
> So let me be clear: I am not asking the Trust to take legal
action. I am demanding that the Trust take responsibility. That
means:
>
> [indent]• Contacting Car Park Securities Ltd and instructing
them to cancel the PCN issued under misleading conditions
> • Demanding removal of any reference to “Whiston Hospital Car
Park” from their signage and notices
> • Installing physical disclaimers at the site entrance to warn
the public
> • Escalating the issue to Trading Standards or the local
authority if the operator refuses to comply
> • Reviewing the land sale terms to determine whether branding
restrictions were included or should have been[/indent]
>
> If the Trust chooses to do nothing, it is complicit in the
confusion and reputational damage. I expect a response
confirming what action will be taken — not another attempt to
disclaim responsibility.
>
> Yours sincerely,
>
> [Your Full Name]
>
> Keeper of Vehicle Registration [XXX]
> PCN Reference [Insert Reference Number]
> Date: [Insert Date]
--- End Quote ---
#Post#: 82115--------------------------------------------------
Re: Carpark Securities PCN - Overstayed Ticket - Whiston
Hospital Car Park, Whiston
DIR By: Dr-Perry-Cox
Date: July 22, 2025, 8:36 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for this.
The driver was under the impression that the car park was
hospital related as you drive into an area clearly signed as
"Whiston Hospital Staff Car Park".
In addition, the RingGo app clearly identifies the car park as
"Whiston Hospital Car Park", the location code on signage takes
you straight there.
There are two options when here:
-you can proceed into another area (the only entrance/exit is
from the staff car park) where it appears this is the area
operated by Car Park Securities
-we were advised by a staff nurse when visiting that you can
park in the Staff Car Park after hours and pay for parking
I will make the journey over the weekend and take up to date
pictures but we have visited the hospital around 10x times over
3 weeks, if you'd held a gun to my head I could not have told
you it wasn't hospital parking.
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