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#Post#: 105243--------------------------------------------------
Smart Parking - Red Lion Whittlesford CB22 4NL
By: terika4e Date: January 9, 2026, 11:15 am
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Hi all,
The driver stayed at hotel nearby (The Duxford Hotel Cambridge
South M11 Jct 10). They did not stay at or attend the Red Lion.
I (registered keeper) have just been made aware of both a Notice
to Keeper dated 01/12/2025 and a Final Reminder dated
06/01/2026.
What do you suggest? I do not have photos of signage but here
HTML https://maps.app.goo.gl/QCT9VLqmA7diZpr16
is the GSV link. PCN
is here
HTML https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vDR_KMVWfBS_biumeYPVuUcUAo21ueDu?usp=sharing
Cheers,
terika4e
#Post#: 105252--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smart Parking - Red Lion Whittlesford CB22 4NL
By: ixxy Date: January 9, 2026, 11:46 am
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This going to need proper signage images, GSV is 2008 so not
helpful. It looks like the 2 card parks blend into each other so
this probably hinges on how clearly signed the 2 car parks are.
On the face of it the PCN is POFA complaint and you're dealing
with Smart Parking who are IPC members, both of which means even
with a good case around signage being inadequate it's unlikely
an initial appeal of IAS appeal will be successful.
If you're prepared to put up with the debt collectors letters
and eventually enter a defence when they lodge a court claim you
will probably avoid paying the PCN as they will most likely
discontinue before court. Do you want to play the long game?
#Post#: 105256--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smart Parking - Red Lion Whittlesford CB22 4NL
By: terika4e Date: January 9, 2026, 11:52 am
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I'm unable to take signage pictures.
They also seem to be using entry and exit times as proof of
parking which to me doesn't seem to prove the contravention?
Also, what sort of evidence is necessary to show the driver was
at another hotel? They are adamant they didn't go near this
place.
Thanks.
#Post#: 105276--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smart Parking - Red Lion Whittlesford CB22 4NL
By: ixxy Date: January 9, 2026, 1:40 pm
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The whole industry works from entry and exit photos, that isn't
an avenue of appeal except in very specific circumstances.
As for the driver being adamant they didn't go near the Red
Lion, if you look at the overview picture on Google maps you'll
see you drive through the Red Lion car park to enter Duxford
hotel car park. This is why I said signage and the quality of it
is important, how clear is the dividing line is between the car
parks. It's also possible Smart's cameras failed to clock the
driver exiting the Red Lion car park re-entering later, unlikely
to miss both but not impossible.
#Post#: 105723--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smart Parking - Red Lion Whittlesford CB22 4NL
By: terika4e Date: January 13, 2026, 10:54 am
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Thanks all.
I've taken a look at the satellite imagery of the site as it
seems the Duxford hotel wasn't built on the GSV.
It seems to be a shared car park, but obviously I cannot confirm
without signage.
I have contacted the Red Lion and explained the situation in
hopes they can cancel it with Smart Parking.
Let me know if you have more thoughts on this.
#Post#: 105747--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smart Parking - Red Lion Whittlesford CB22 4NL
By: ixxy Date: January 13, 2026, 1:17 pm
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I doubt the Red Lion will cancel it, its probably a bit of a
cash cow for SMART parking and the Red Lion probably wants their
spaces protecting from hotel guests.
On the face of it you don't have any obvious grounds for appeal
unless you can show the signage is poor, which it may well be.
You can run this down if you really don't want to pay, doesn't
really matter what your appeal grounds are in this case, it'll
probably be rejected as will the subsequent appeal to IAS. You
just need to go through the motions. Debt collectors letters
will follow which can be ignored, followed ultimately by a
letter of claim to kick off legal proceedings. You will need to
engage with that process or risk a default judgment against you.
If you do defend the claim they will most likely drop it before
it goes to court.
So weather the storm for the next 6 months or if you want it to
go away now you'll need to pay, your choice.
#Post#: 106038--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smart Parking - Red Lion Whittlesford CB22 4NL
By: terika4e Date: January 15, 2026, 9:35 am
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I have recieved the below reply from the hotel.
[quote]I have sent this off to our team at cancellations, there
shouldn't be any issue with it but i'll let you know when I get
an update from them.[/quote]
This must happen regularly for them to agree to cancel this.
Thanks for the help everyone.
#Post#: 106078--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smart Parking - Red Lion Whittlesford CB22 4NL
By: ixxy Date: January 15, 2026, 11:41 am
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Promising.
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