Clarification on Newbie instructions - VCS Bristol Airport fee

Coupon-mad

Why are people using the useless DCB Legal portal?  Second one today. Just email them which is what the NEWBIES thread says.

cutlero

Hello,

I am (unfortunately) back again after receiving a response from DCBL basically dismissing my email.

I have attached the email I sent to them, and the one I received back from them, below.

To clarify, am I to now just to wait for them to take me to court?

So far, I have complained to Bristol Airport, my MP, and DVLA, and written the email back to DCBL (as attached).

Thanks so much for the help

KeithP

That simply is not true.
I am sure there is no sign that says "No Pick Up or Drop Off at any time regardless of whether you stop at traffic lights or not".

cutlero

KeithP said:

That simply is not true.
I am sure there is no sign that says "No Pick Up or Drop Off at any time regardless of whether you stop at traffic lights or not".

These are the signs they're referring to, placed exactly in the location where you... have to stop. How someone is supposed to read those while driving when they're positioned out of view of any driver is unknown to me.

Fruitcake

Yes, you now wait for the claim to arrive, but you should also complain to the major shareholder landowner, OTTP. Details can be found here.

Bristol Airport - PCN for stopping at a traffic light. - Page 4 — MoneySavingExpert Forum

You should also complain to your MP.

Since you were not driving, and airport byelaws apply, the keeper cannot be held liable. DCBL are lying when they say they have the right to recover any unpaid parking charges from you. This should be included in your complaints.

cutlero

Thank you.

I have already complained to my MP. I will also complain to the landowner and await the claim.

Coupon-mad

Report DCB Legal for VAT concerns to HMRC as you will find on every thread when you search.

Their answer about VAT is laughable.

cutlero

***Update***

Waited and waited and thought we were rid of them. However, on my return from a month-long trip to New Zealand, I discovered that the claim was sent on the day I departed! This means that I didn't receive the claim for 32 days, and the 14 days I had to file a defence were over before I even had a chance to see it.

The internet says we can file a N244, but this costs £270ish to file, which is just a few pounds short of what the court has ordered us to pay. Considering we are not guaranteed to win or get this money back, it looks like VCS win due to bad luck and poor timing.

!!!!!! sucks! 👎👎👎👎 But, getting credit is hard enough as it is these days. Don't need a 'no stopping ticket' ruining our lives.

Coupon-mad

An application with a hearing costs £303.  The internet is out of date.  It's going up to £313 on April 1st.

You COULD apply and tick 'without a hearing' for £119 (probably also going up a tenner on 1st April).

Personally, as you can prove you were abroad, there's no need for a CCJ set aside hearing and I'd do a £119 application, using VCS v Carr (Court of Appeal authority that a case MUST be set aside if the D didn't see it and has grounds to defend) and proof that you were in New Zealand and attach a decent draft defence to the claim.

cutlero

You know what, let's go. Because !!!!!! those guys.
Will try this.