Fixed Penalty threat at Gatwick South for "stopping on zebra crossing"

jc292

I guess I'm new to this section of the forum and the whole traffic fine area, but some advice on the following would be great....

I went to pick up my parents from Gatwick South earlier today, picking them up on the road that passes "under" the airport in what used to be arrivals for those that know Gatwick.

I drove through arrivals, as usual very congested. I stopped just before one of the zebra crossings and waved someone (ironically a traffic warden) across. I may have edged forward a little, but I think not onto the crossing. Then my parents spotted me, came over and opened the door piling in with their luggage. This all took about 5-10 seconds and didn't hold up any traffic as it was congested.

Anyway I then spot a traffic warden furiously scribbling away, so after the crossing I wind down the window and ask him what's up. He tells me "stopping on zebra crossing 60 pound fixed penalty".. to which I stated I wasn't on the crossing, and he replies "well you can check the cctv when you get summonsed to court".

I have never had any form of parking fine or penalty point in my life and now I'm very worried I'm suddenly going to to court for some traffic violation that I actually think is being exaggerated as I wasn't appreciably on the crossing e.g. if anything the nose of my car might have been 1/2 a foot on it, and that's being generous to the warden.
It seems so out of my control anyway as I didn't expect my parents to open the door and jump in.

So my main question is - do you think I get just 60 pounds fine, or are there penalty points involved on this? If so I guess then my insurance goes up too? It just seems so over the top as I wasn't even obstructing the crossing or probably even on it, and I was in stationary traffic.

I know sometimes (usually?!) these traffic enforcement guys are just scam artists. Lots of them were wearing fluorescent jackets with APCOA on the back, but some had "traffic warden" on the back.. so maybe these are police affiliated... I don't know which my guy had written on his jacket.

Anyway my main question is - do you think I will have to go to court now? And do you think it would be just a fine or will I get points?

Any advice would be really helpful e.g. any other experiences from people "caught" doing things like this at Gatwick.

I couldn't believe it - all I could say to my parents was... welcome back to the UK!!!:mad:

Kite2010

APCOA - Ignore

It's not a penalty, it's not a fine, it's an invoice for alleged landowner damages (where the true damages are Zero), the chances of it going to court and you having to pay the invoice is very very remote.

Have Gatwich decided to follow Luton in getting the cowboys in?

peter_the_piper

Who does it say pay the money to? With apcoa on the jackets its likely a ppc job so could be safe to ignore.

Sirdan

9th July 2010



APCOA awarded Gatwick Airport contract.

APCOA is delighted to announce the award of a new four and a half year parking management contract at Gatwick Airport. This significant addition to the company’s airport portfolio means APCOA now operates the entire public parking estate at Gatwick including all 32,000 parking spaces.

The new contract includes the management of an additional 12,000 parking spaces, bussing and forecourt management for both terminals. APCOA assumes operational control on 14th July, 2010.

”

Yes it seems to be our old "friend" APCOA --IGNORE THEM TOTALLY.

jc292

Thanks that's encouraging news - I guess I hope it is APCOA then I could ride out the threats and ignore.

Looking around the net since posting this, I see stopping on zebra crossing is 3 points and 60 pounds fixed penalty notice. So if it was a "real" traffic warden I guess I'm screwed - it's just the way he said "Fixed Penalty Notice" made me think surely APCOA couldn't say that as they can't issue such things, right?

It only happened today so I guess I have to bite nails until the letter comes through - APCOA or Police. Will keep the thread updated.

maninthestreet

You don't get summonsed to court for a parking offence.

RobertoMoir

Just for future reference - the guy who wrote your "ticket" out may well be a cowboy with a jumped up invoice, lets hope so - but stopping on a zebra crossing is wrong and I wonder if you were stopped on zig-zag markings to the side of the crossing (see an example here). That is wrong IIRC, and a real traffic warden or copper could write out a ticket for it.

Coupon-mad

Yep, wait and see what arrives and if it's a parking charge notice then ignore it.

But if any passenger wants to jump into your car when it is on a zig zag, always point them forwards to where you are about to park. I would never let anyone hop in where there are zig-zags, I have stopped my own kids doing this before when I have spotted them walking home from school.

peter_the_piper

RobertoMoir wrote: »

Just for future reference - the guy who wrote your "ticket" out may well be a cowboy with a jumped up invoice, lets hope so - but stopping on a zebra crossing is wrong and I wonder if you were stopped on zig-zag markings to the side of the crossing (see an example here). That is wrong IIRC, and a real traffic warden or copper could write out a ticket for it.

Not sure I remember correctly but I don't think there are zig zags on the south terminal underpass, you'd never fit any cars in.

Trebor16

Even if it was a proper traffic warden they can't issue endorseable fixed penalty notices. Only a police officer can issue them.

peter_the_piper

Trebor16 wrote: »

Even if it was a proper traffic warden they can't issue endorseable fixed penalty notices. Only a police officer can issue them.

Assuming it was a decriminalised ceo that gave you the ticket. It could be a pcso, old style parking warden or a good old copper. Anyway its a moot point as the bill was for allegedly stopping on a zebra crossing.