Parking Fine for Luton Airport

Rowlieroli

Hi Everyone I am new to this, and need some advice.

I received a letter from DRP last month (September 2016) with regard to APCOA parking fine in February. Charge £130
Reason for Issue : Dropping off / Picking up outside of designated parking area.

It was my first visit to Luton Airport to pick up my cousin and not only did I not see a sign, she I couldnt have been more than 20 seconds in total for her getting in the car.

From what I have read I can choose to ignore DRP's letters. I would rather have the issue dealt with and cancelled with APCOA.
The issue is I never received a parking fine from APCOA, because I have a communal entrance and the postman just drops mail on the floor with 3 other flats there is a chance it could have been been taken (though I don't see why anyone would take a fine) I have found my letters tampered with on occasion.

I am not sure what my next line of action should be

Who do I deal with APCOA or DRP?
And what do I do?

Thanks guys

Coupon-mad

From what I have read I can choose to ignore DRP's letters. I would rather have the issue dealt with and cancelled with APCOA.

You can't. Won't happen.

Just ignore it as there is no appeal at this stage (do not say who was driving anyway at any point, even if panicked - do not panic, no need).

Tell APCOA in writing (and keep proof of sending it) if you move house within six years, to ensure you see all letters that you do manage to grab. Most of us regulars have ignored debt collector drivel over the years which is what I expect in your case. Nothing to worry about, easy to Google images of each letter to reassure yourself they are all templates from a computer, nothing more.

Oh, and do not reply to any private message from a poster with less than 1000 posts to their name here. We deal with these issues openly on the forum and any pm could be from anyone at all (even the parking firm) and any private message about this is not recommended to be replied to/read.

Rowlieroli

Thanks Coupon-mad, I'll try to keep my head on!

Autolycus2000

Parking at Luton Airport is governed by the airport byelaws. Google it and you'll find the link that I'm too new to post.

According to the byelaws footnotes there could be a fine of up to £1,000 for breach of the byelaws related to parking.

BUT.... (assuming this works the same way as railway byelaws)

1. Breach of byelaws is a criminal matter, not a civil one, so only the airport owner can take you to court over this
2. As a criminal matter, it would have to be dealt with in a magistrates court and any fine imposed would not go to APCOA - therefore no incentive for them to take you to court
3. If it were going to the magistrates court it would have to be done within 6 months of the offence - and that deadline has now passed
4. If they are writing to you as keeper of the vehicle there is no requirement for you to reveal who the driver was because the airport is not "relevant land" as defined by the Protection of Freedoms Act and they can't hold you liable as keeper for any penalties, excess charges, etc.

So my advice is the same as Coupon-mad's - i.e. ignore the debt collector letters and only start to do anything if you receive an actual court summons - but hopefully the extra info above will give you more confidence to follow this advice. :-)

Umkomaas

Excellent synopsis Autolycus2000.

spiro

FYI the owner of Luton Airport is Luton Council.