Group thread for Heathrow and Gatwick drop off PCNs

Kriffli

Hi all, Hoping someone can help me. I've gone through the thread in detail so I think I'm pretty clear on what needs to be done but just wanted to double check and get some advice. 

Long story short: a driver unknown to me, driving my car, went through the Gatwick south drop-off zone on 1st of April 2024 and evidently forgot to the pay the £6 charge.

I just received a letter from "Trace Debt Recovery" stating that their client has previously written to me requesting payment. I have received 0 reminders or letters from NCP about this. - They are now requesting £170....

My question is: do I send an email to Trace with the wording from the top of this thread or email NCP too? 

I understand it's too late to appeal the original PCN but I saw people being successful emailing both the debt recovery agency and the NCP. 

Also, anyone had dealings with Trace before? From what I can see, it used to be a different agency working with NCP

Thanks in advance! 

Coupon-mad

Ignore Trace completely.

pinkbottletop

NCP are saying that they are no longer part of the Protection of Freedoms Act and don't include it in their letter anymore. They are saying they have 7 months to contact you (as opposed to 14 days as the PFA states) and this has recently changed through the BPA. Any knowledge on if this is true?

BikingBud

No longer part of POFA??

It is not a little club that these scammers can join and get additional benefits.  
.

Coupon-mad

pinkbottletop said:

NCP are saying that they are no longer part of the Protection of Freedoms Act and don't include it in their letter anymore. They are saying they have 7 months to contact you (as opposed to 14 days as the PFA states) and this has recently changed through the BPA. Any knowledge on if this is true?

You've misread that. Nothing has changed.  This is hilarious. Show us their letter.

heathen666

Just got my snotagram from NCP about stopping in the drop off zone for 3 minutes in Gatwick over a month ago, thanks for sharing the information about how to appeal which I've just sent. I have to be honest, I've just paid these in the past, but £60 for 3 minutes.. you're having a laugh right?

Coupon-mad

You'll never pay one again. Astonished that people ever do.

Kriffli

Hi all, 

Back again... I sent the suggested email to NCP 15 working days ago now and have not received a response. In the meantime, Trace recovery have sent another letter informing me that as I have decided to ignore their first letter, they may escalate the matter to the courts. 

I'm wondering if I should follow up with NCP and send another email stating that as I have not receive a response I will assume this matter is resolved. 

And should I also inform Trace to contact NCP regarding this as the matter has been resolved? 

Coupon-mad

Email a complaint to NCP for not replying to your appeal and tell them you will report them to the BPA.

lisptt39

calpol_junkie said:

Hi Guys,

I'm going to tack onto this thread as I'm sure there's enough threads relating to airport PCNs.

So I was a naughty boy and I stopped my car in a no-no zone at the airport, and doing some research into the legalities of this led me here (I stopped the car in a lay-by for about 45 seconds and was caught on ANPR)

So the template appeal letters seems to all argue POPA being unenforceable due to:

1. The 'relevant land' argument as its under statutory control (airport bylaws)
2. The lack of adequate signage
3. The PCN itself not conforming to BPA standards/not having the required wordage of the BPA CoC

The issue with my particular case is that:

1. There is a big sign saying 'private road' upon entry to the airport property (I assume to quash any 'relevant land' arguments)
2. There is a giant sign saying 'no stopping' and the exact amount in £ they will sting you for if you do stop
3. My PCN basically had all the right wording including the 'if you don't surrender the name of the driver we can pursue the keeper etc etc'

I initially thought I might be able argue grace periods, but after reading through the BPA code of conduct, it seems to be pretty black and white regarding stopping, basically if you stop for anything other than a real emergency, you get a ticket. No grace period, you stop, you get ticket. The rules for parking seem to have way more loopholes than stopping.

I fear if I send the template appeal letter they'll just send one back saying all the points I'm arguing are basically null due to the reasons I've stated.

Am I missing anything which can help my case and maybe defeat the ticket?

Hi Calpol junkie 
just wondered how you got on with an appeal as my Son has done the same thing as he missed the sign for the hotel which actually went into the multi storey carpark so pull over to drop off he paid the £6 drop off charge, but still got £100 fine for stopping 2 minutes just not sure where to for advice on this sort of appeal