Luton Airport Parking Fine Notice

katpat23

The owner of our car got an APCOA notice about unauthorized parking at Luton airport when the usual scenario was playing out: unfamiliar with that dreaded roundabout, looking at signs while driving slowly, not seeing the very tiny writing of APCOA when the larger signs seemed more important, the passenger taking the opportunity to jump in the car when the ride was spotted.

Additional complication for the situation was that the driver had actually waited almost 30 minutes in the free car park, but the passenger was foreign and couldn't understand the instructions about where the car was.

The driver then proceeded toward the terminal, hoping to find the pick-up car park, but not knowing where to go, crept slowly around the roundabout to read signs when the passenger jumped in.

Had the driver not stopped for the passenger when she opened the door, the passenger could have been injured. Neither could the driver have explained in less than 10 minutes (because of language difficulties) that the area was not for picking up and the passenger would have to make her way to the appropriate drop-off point. (Probably the damage was already done, however, in terms of stopping)

I can't currently find the original letter, but it's unlikely it arrived within 16 days. (Phew)

Within a few days of receiving the demand for payment, a long explanation was written to APCOA to explain these mitigating circumstances (too bad I hadn't seen your website first, because we have said who the driver was!). The letter was sent to be signed for, but I can't find the proof of this now because we'd heard nothing back for three months, so mistakenly thought it was a successful appeal.

Maybe they just didn't get it? (Hope, hope)

Now got the Roxburgh demand.

So how do I now proceed?

Thanks!

[Deleted User]

Private car park ticket = ignore.

Do not pay and do not enter into any conversion with them.

Stroma

Yes just ignore roxburghe

katpat23

Sorry -- I thought the old procedure was to ignore, but now we need to take it a bit more seriously and write APCOA about not responding in time/byelaws/definition of parking, and demanding a cancellation or a special code.

I also want to doublecheck about the time limit by which they should have informed me. Is that counted from when their letter was dated, or when I received it?

Stroma

You've gone past any appeal that you could have done with popla , if you write to them they will just reject, if you write to roxburghe they will just say give me money.

katpat23

So I ignore Roxburghe. What's likely to happen next?

Stroma

Well I would say that graham white would write to you, but he's been sacked by roxburghe, so some other toothless wonder will write demanding money. Its all hot air, and can't go anywhere as you were not parked, so its a breach of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.

Ignore is the advice unless you get a small claim, that is highly unlikely with APCOA

katpat23

Good to know. I've been practising my responses if I get a phone call "The debt is denied ... etc." This Luton thing is a terrible, terrible situation -- no one can read the darn signs due to signage diarrhea at the most crucial location for trying to find the right car park.

Stroma

That and other things is the reason why this garbage will never go to court, as there's bylaws in place on the roads around luton airport, its highly unlikely that they have the relevant permission to ticket there.