My commiserations, it really is horrible. I'm so glad I only get something like this every 5 or 10 years.

Hope you're feeling better soon, Louise :-(

What version of Safari is that? I actually developed the site and the theme in Safari, so I'm rather surprised to hear that!

I'm not sure what you would want printed... the only thing that isn't part of your description of the task itself is the little box you draw on the left. What is it that you had in mind?

Hi Graeme,

I have been busy swanning around Asia and America for the last year, so it's possible that all the legislation really has changed since I checked; however, I would be very surprised indeed if the civil contract laws no longer apply as they did when I wrote my letter.

And, again as far as I am aware, private companies are still required to place a note on your car informing you of their intention to contact the DVLA for your personal details, and give you the option of contacting them first. Actually, I would be horrified if this is not the case, since that would mean that personal data held by the DVLA is effectively public knowledge.

On the other hand, I'm sure that Parking Eye has received many complaints about their misuse of the checkered-border format used by legitimate traffic enforcement, and I would have expected them to change that by now.

None the less, in the event that the nanny-state really has buckled under pressure to lobbying from Parking Eye and their like, and I strongly suggest that you take advantage of a free consultation with a solicitor to confirm this really is the case (as opposed to propaganda designed to make you believe so), there are still several recourses available to you - not least among which is a letter campaign to your local and national press as well as lobbying your MP. Especially if you are brave enough to call their bluff, and settle the matter through the County Courts.

I'll be extremely interested to hear how you get on.

Cheers,
Gaz