Countrywide Parking Appeals – Should I Pay or Challenge?

Have you received a parking ticket from Countrywide Parking? You’re not alone. Many people, over 32,000 each month, visit this site looking for guidance on parking tickets and fines.

It can be a bit scary and confusing, but don’t worry. In this easy-to-read guide, we’ll explain:

•  Who Countrywide Parking is and why they give parking fines
•  How to challenge a parking ticket and maybe not pay it
•  What happens if you ignore a parking fine
•  The time you have to challenge a parking fine
•  Where to find more help if you need it

We know how it feels to get a parking ticket, and we’re here to help you make the best choice. Whether you decide to pay or challenge your parking fine is up to you.

So, why would you get a Countrywide Parking fine?

Countrywide Parking is authorised to issue fines to motorists who don’t follow their Terms & Conditions. I’ve listed some of the more common reasons here:

• Not paying to use a site managed by Countrywide Parking
• Overstaying the amount of time you paid for
• Parking badly
• Leaving your vehicle in a bay reserved for families with young kids or the disabled

The operator must make you aware of the T&Cs for using a site they manage by erecting signs at car park entrances. If the signs are inside the car park, you could argue your case against the parking charge!

Should you pay a Countrywide Parking fine straight away?

You should pay a Countrywide Parking fine within fourteen days if you know you deserve it. It means the operator lets you pay 40% less than the original parking charge notice.

But only pay the fine when you know the operator issued it correctly and that the details on the parking charge are yours!

Should you appeal a Countrywide Parking fine?

Yes. When you feel Countrywide Parking got it wrong, or the operator incorrectly served the parking charge notice. Mistakes happen, overzealous wardens get it wrong, and ANPR is known to be unreliable.

I’ve listed some reasons why you could challenge a Countrywide Parking fine here:

• You received the parking charge more than fourteen days after using a Countrywide Parking car park site
• You followed the ‘rules’ and paid the correct fee for the time you stayed
• The road markings were faded, and the signs were unclear or hidden by bushes/trees
• Payment machines were out of order, so there was no way to pay
• The parking charge notice seems excessive
• You couldn’t get back to your vehicle because of a medical or another emergency
• You weren’t the driver when the parking charge was issued
• Your vehicle broke down
• You only just ran out of time. For example, you were five minutes over the time you paid to park
• The ticket arrived by mail, but there were no signs indicating there was ANPR in operation in the car park
• You didn’t own the vehicle when the parking charge was served

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How long do you have to appeal a Countrywide Parking fine?

You have 28 days to appeal a Countrywide Parking fine. But I suggest you appeal earlier if you think the parking charge is wrong. In short, you could appeal the fine within two weeks, so if it’s rejected, the operator may let you pay a reduced fine.

You must appeal the charge in writing and provide the following information:

• The parking charge reference number
• Your vehicle registration number – VRN
• The reason why you’re challenging the fine

Countrywide Parking should respond to your appeal within a set time. But it can take several weeks. Moreover, the operator can’t chase you for payment until they decide to accept or reject your appeal.

If the operator accepts your appeal, the parking charge is cancelled.

What happens when your appeal is rejected?

Countrywide Parking sends you a letter of rejection which must contain your options. First, you could pay the fine, and that’s the end of things. Or you could escalate your appeal to an Independent Appeals Service.

Your appeal will either be upheld or rejected. If the Appeals Service accepts your appeal, the parking charge is cancelled. But, if they reject your appeal, you’d have to pay the parking charge.

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How to avoid paying Countrywide parking tickets

If you want to avoid paying a Countrywide parking ticket then you’ll need an airtight appeal.

The best way to perfect your appeal is getting a little advice from a Solicitor. I’d 100% recommend spending a fiver to get a trial of JustAnswer.

You can explain your situation in their chat and they’ll connect you with a Solicitor who can advise you and give you the best chance to win your appeal.

Click here to get the trial offer with JustAnswer.

Can you ignore a Countrywide Parking fine?

No. Don’t ignore the parking fine even though a Countrywide Parking fine is not a real ‘fine’ but rather an invoice! If you’re unhappy about things, appeal the parking charge notice, which is your right.

When you ignore things, Countrywide Parking could give your details to a debt collection agency. But first, the operator sends you payment reminders followed by payment demands.

Countrywide Parking retrieves your details from the DVLA database. They can do this because they are accredited with the IPC and BPA. Once they get the registered keeper’s details from the DVLA, the operator sends out the reminders and demands.

In a worst-case scenario, you could face court proceedings, and if the operator wins, you’ll have to pay the full fine and then some!