PCN HEATHROW TERMINAL 5 DROP OFF ZONE

GregorianC

I'd be very grateful for your kind advice, please. I've read all the similar threads I can find but can't locate the often-quoted template on the Newbies Forum.

Whilst searching for the coach park to pick-up a disabled passenger from a National Express Coach, my car was misled by inadequate signage into driving through the Drop-Off Zone (DOZ) without stopping. It proved impossible to read and understand all the signs whilst driving with due care and attention. Once out of the DOZ, an occupant of the car asked the driver of a Heathrow traffic patrol car whether the £5 needed to be paid, since the car did not stop, and he said 'no'. He pointed out where the coaches stopped and gave directions to the Short-Stay Car Park, saying that was the only option. £5.30 parking charge was paid to "APCOA - HAL - SS T5" on exiting the Short-Stay, which can be proved by credit card statement.

As Registered Keeper, I have since received a PCN from APCOA dated 17 May 22 alleging ‘contravention of Use of Drop Off Zone without making a valid payment' at T5 on 03 May 22. The charge is £80 reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days, which has passed. I have not yet lodged an appeal or responded in any way.

I plan to submit an appeal to APCOA using their on-line proforma. Could you kindly tell me where to find the relevant template and/or advise what to say, please?

Many thanks and best wishes, Gregorian.

Coupon-mad

Just use the appeal template in the NEWBIES thread. Top of the parking forum.

if you don't know how to get back there, see my signature.

Le_Kirk

GregorianC said:

I'd be very grateful for your kind advice, please. I've read all the similar threads I can find but can't locate the often-quoted template on the Newbies Forum.

Follow the trail as indicated by @Coupon-mad until you find the NEWBIE (it is not called a sticky but because it is pinned to the top of the forum, it is "sticky").  Once you have found it click on it and scroll right back to the first post, then scroll down until you see the text "One size fits all" and underneath that is text written in blue.

GregorianC

Thank you both @Coupon-mad and @le_Kirk.  I still haven't quite got there - sorry.

Following your kind guidance, I have found the thread Forum Home» Motoring» Parking Tickets, Fines & Parking. At the top of Page 1 of that forum, I see an Announcement "POPLA Decisions" then one by Coupon-mad titled "Template Defence to Adapt for ... false admin costs - edited Mar 22". Then there are 2 by MSE-JC and then another by Coupon-mad "**NEWBIES!! PRIVATE PARKING TICKET? ... Thankyou!". Is it one of those, please or am I at least on the right track to find the template to use for my very first response to APCOA after receipt of the PCN? I had read through those two Announcements by Coupon-mad before I posted my question above but can't immediately see how they relate to my first appeal to APCOA.

Also Coupon-mad what do you mean by "see my signature" please? Do you mean I should click on your name in blue "Coupon-mad"?

Thanks in advance.

KeithP

GregorianC said:

Following your kind guidance, I have found the thread Forum Home» Motoring» Parking Tickets, Fines & Parking. At the top of Page 1 of that forum, I see an Announcement "POPLA Decisions" then one by Coupon-mad titled "Template Defence to Adapt for ... false admin costs - edited Mar 22". Then there are 2 by MSE-JC and then another by Coupon-mad "**NEWBIES!! PRIVATE PARKING TICKET? ... Thankyou!". Is it one of those, please or am I at least on the right track to find the template to use for my very first response to APCOA after receipt of the PCN? I had read through those two Announcements by Coupon-mad before I posted my question above but can't immediately see how they relate to my first appeal to APCOA.

Which one of those do you think might be 'the NEWBIES thread' that C-M mentioned?

GregorianC

Could you kindly advise if this is OK for me to submit as a first response to the PCN using the APCOA on-line proforma, please?
Should I include the redacted copy of the credit card statement showing the parking charge? Many thanks in advance.

I dispute your 'parking charge', as the keeper of the vehicle. I deny any liability or contractual agreement and politely request you withdraw your allegation. The vehicle was trying to find the “coach park” to collect a disabled passenger from a National Express coach, for which no signpost was seen. The vehicle was misled by the inadequate signposts into driving through the Drop Off Zone (DOZ) and did not stop. The following guidance was then obtained from Airport traffic staff: that the £5 charge need not be paid since the vehicle did not stop in the DOZ; the location where the coach would park; that the only adjacent parking was the Short Stay Car Park (SS); and directions to it. On exiting the SS, a parking fee of £5.30 was paid to “APCOA – HAL – SS T5” using a credit card. I enclose a redacted copy of the credit card statement.

If I do not receive your withdrawal in writing, I will complain about your predatory conduct to your client landowner. There will be no admissions as to who was driving and no assumptions can be drawn. Since your PCN is a vague template, I require an explanation of the allegation and your evidence. You must include a close-up actual photograph of the sign you contend was at the location on the material date, along with evidence that it can be safely read and comprehended without endangering others, as well as your images of the vehicle with date stamps.

@coupon_mad

Umkomaas

Just add a sentence to the effect that as their NtK fails to meet many of the requirements of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (Schedule 4) as well as the airport environs being subject to byelaws, the registered keeper can never be held liable for their charge. 

They should drop this like a hot spud. 

GregorianC

Thank you, @Umkomaas. Is the Notice to Keeper (NTK) the same document as the Parking Charge Notice (PCN), then, because the only document I've received is the PCN?

Coupon-mad

Yes. as the NEWBIES thread already explains.

It also tells everyone that APCOA don't use the POFA and why that means it's 100% win for a keeper.

That is why my first reply was short and to the point because there was nothing new. It's easily winnable just by following the NEWBIES thread advice.

See the thread by @flybye if you are still unsure.

Jenni_D

Are you using a mobile device to browse this forum? If yes, STOP! Use a proper computer. (This Parking board, and the advice threads, are not mobile-friendly - you need a proper computer to use this board effectively).

GregorianC

Thank you all, I really appreciate your advice. I'll let you know the result of my appeal.