Luton airport contravention of dropping off / picking up outside of a designated park

ahewan

I drive a private hire taxi. On the 29th July when I was taking passenger to Luton airport, there was exceptionally busy traffic. The roads were completely gridlocked and no cars were moving, it took us almost 1hr just approaching the airport. My passengers were getting nervous of missing their flight. Most people were leaving the car and started walking to the airport. My passengers wanted to get out at the roundabout; I have manged to persuade them to wait as it is not a safe place for them to do so. Another 30min later, we haven’t still reached the designated parking area. At this point, my passengers simply opened the door and left the taxi as they saw more and more people are doing the same.
Now I have received parking charge notice for “contravention of Dropping off / picking up outside of a designated parking area”
How best should I approach my appeal?

Coupon-mad

Easy - read the NEWBIES FAQS thread (sticky thread, 'stuck' like a notice near the top of this board, in capitals) and use the blue writing template appeal. Do not state who was driving, nor imply it, and do not say you were working that day (obviously it's a taxi from the markings but do not comment). Use the template with NO added wording trying to 'excuse' the situation/talk about passengers - NOPE!

Send it online if allowed (see the PCN re 'appeals' on the back) - as the registered keeper only, same as the name/address on the postal PCN.

APCOA will reject it and will give you a POPLA code for 2nd stage independent appeal. You then search the forum for 'Airport APCOA POPLA' for recent examples from 2016 only, to plagiarise a long and strong POPLA appeal from.

Show us that draft and we'll assist (next month) to perfect it. They WILL give up at POPLA stage if you get it right. We win v APCOA every time!

ahewan

Hi Coupon-mad,
Thank you very much for your quick reply and pointing me to the appeal template. I will be posting the appeal tomorrow and I will keep you updated with the progress.

Many thanks!