How to dispute Stansted Airport Express Set Down Parking Charge

The_Deep

This seems to me to be a classic case of caveat emptor.

Whether or not the OP saw the price list, I am sure that it was sufficiently advertised. By paying at the gate he surely agreed to it.

The only advice we should be giving him is to read the small print in future.

Nodding_Donkey

There are signs all the way into the express set down area at Stansted, and then loads of repeater signs throughout the area. How someone could say they didn't know it was 10 minutes maximum is beyond me.

Of course, someone thinking the rules didn't apply to them would then get a shock when they came up to the exit barrier and found they couldn't get out without paying.

pappa_golf

devils advocate time:


all PARKING companies have to be members of an approved ATA (BPA + IPC) , both those companies allow a grace period on arrival and leaving .


this is the classic site where someone may enter and start the clock , but spend 5-10 mins driving around to find a parking space , and can easily spend 5 mins trying to leave

Nodding_Donkey

It's not a car park

Umkomaas

Nodding_Donkey wrote: »

It's not a car park

And they haven't applied for his details from the DVLA. They just wouldn't raise the exit barrier until he'd paid what was owing - £55. Harsh, but it's what's on the signs.

pappa_golf

but they are a parking company , if the access to the area area is separated from the general public by barriers , and vehicles stop , then by definition its a car park , unless you want to call it a swimming pool!


I agree they have not applied to the DVLA , and this is not needed as its pay on exit


I am just playing devils advocate on the grace period , and who has to give it

Castle

pappa_golf wrote: »

I agree they have not applied to the DVLA , and this is not needed as its pay on exit

True; but they also claim to issue £20 fines for re-entering within 30 minutes, which would be considered parking enforcement.

The_Deep

Presumably these would be bylaw fines enforced by a Magistrates Court.

Castle

The_Deep wrote: »

Presumably these would be bylaw fines enforced by a Magistrates Court.

According to the 2005 Byelaws the cheapest "fine" is £500 but there's no mention of car parking other than maybe 5(3) Obstruction.
http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=20134

Umkomaas

pappa_golf wrote: »

but they are a parking company , if the access to the area area is separated from the general public by barriers , and vehicles stop , then by definition its a car park , unless you want to call it a swimming pool!


I agree they have not applied to the DVLA , and this is not needed as its pay on exit


I am just playing devils advocate on the grace period , and who has to give it

Since when is a grace period obligatory outside of BPA, IPC or council parking events?

There is no appeal process available as far as I can see, other than issue a LBCCC and MCOL, then the SCC. Stansted might blink if taken on this path and refund (as in 'can't be 4rsed with the hassle, refund him and get him off our backs'), but if they don't blink then you'd need to give the OP plenty of points of law through which to pursue this.

Any that you can think of?