Luton Airport, car towed because unattended, medical emergency

Georgia07

Few weeks ago I drove to Luton. That was the day of flash floods and a heatwave, and due to extensive re-routing it took me twice as long to get there. As a result I have run out of water and snacks. When I arrived I felt faint and dizzy. I have quite advanced diabetes and knew something is wrong. I parked the car in the drop off bay where you must not leave the car unattended. But I had to go and get some water as I knew I am about to faint. On return about 10 minutes later my car was being towed away. I spoke to the guys who were operating the tow truck and there was no way they would let me go without paying. I paid £180 and appealed to the On Time company. I have attached medical evidence and explained why I had to leave the car. They have refused my appeal, on grounds that.....I left the car unattended, wholly ignoring the reasons I gave them. The letter does not explain whether there are any further appeal rights.
I have never had a parking ticket, I am gobsmacked at their response and don't know what to do next.
£180 is quite a lot I would have swallowed it if I did something unlawful but I had no choice- it was either leaving the car or driving off, loosing consciousness and causing an accident.

Would anyone have any idea what I should do next?

Coupon-mad

Your 'appeal rights' would only be to sue them for the money back., and you'd be best to name 'On Time' and the Airport jointly. First, read these pepipoo threads:

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=78366&st=200&start=200

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=83466&st=0

You may have read that clamping and towing and obstructing/blocking in on private land are all now illegal without 'lawful authority' which is true. However, in an Airport, the Airport may have such powers in the byelaws.

Having said that...be aware that you may not get any sympathy from a Judge if you tried a claim, since this is an Airport and a very high security risk re terrorism. Your best bet is to read very carefully all the info the first poster dug up when he involved the Police in a formal complaint about his car being clamped there. I seem to recall the 'investigation' concluded that they reckon they 'can' tow but not clamp. Read everything x-streem posted and make your mind up if you want to try taking this on.

Aaron_Aadvark

Where exactly was this. The airport is private land so towing would be illegal without a byelaw, which I am not aware of.

See here for another case:
http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=78366

This could be serious for the tow company.

Georgia07

Many thanks. I did try to scan the forum for similar stuff but the forum is now so extensive! I will read those threads carefully.

bazster

Luton Airport has no byelaw legalising clamping. The Fuzz aren't interested and are happy to permit this criminality to continue under their noses.

The only way to get your money back will be to bring an action against both Luton Airport and the clamp company. Personally I would do so like a shot, but you need to decide whether you are up for the fight and the work it involves. x-treem is a very bolshie and determined chap!

You could also contact the Luton local rag, they like running stories on the airport's bad behaviour.

http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/

Coupon-mad

Georgia07 wrote: »

Many thanks. I did try to scan the forum for similar stuff but the forum is now so extensive! I will read those threads carefully.

Like I showed you the important info is on pepipoo. It's up to you if you want to try a small claim and you'll need evidence about the (lack of) towing enablement in the byelaws. Maybe you should join pepipoo forum - it's free like MSE - and send a pm to x-streem as he's a regular poster there.

bazster

Luton Airport byelaws:

http://www.london-luton.co.uk/en/download/18/London%20Luton%20Airport%20-%20Byelaws.pdf

Kingsd316

How did you end up in the drop off area? Did you stop with the intention of continuing on to a car park that you had pre booked?