Notice for stopping at temp red light Bristol Airport 104 - Lost appeal to IAS

GwalchGwyn

Hi All,
I'm in a similar situation to a thread I've been reading. Drove into the airport, had to stop at a temporary red light, my partner got out of the car after a significant wait for it to change. Once it changed I moved on to the pay drop off car park.
Having read the entire NEWBIES thread, I can see I'm a bit late coming here for advice possible so just needed some reassurance please.

I went through the appeal process presented by VCS and have now had my appeal refused by both VCS and IAS (surprise surprise). They are trying to get me on the drop oof clause not the stopping one I believe.

I also said that I was driving at the time. 

I was notified of the rejection on my IAS account only (by checking myself, no alerts). No letters or emails have come my way. I had 14 days to pay up or they advise getting legal help. I'm now on the last day before they allegedly up the fine.

Any advice appreciated and thanks for all of the great work I've read on the forums so far.

Le_Kirk

There are plenty of threads about this topic, search for and read them, also check out the advice given by @Fruitcake an acknowledged expert on this airport.

GwalchGwyn

Thanks, I did a lot of reading of the similar posts and my main concern is that I always read that I should not have revealed the driver identity. So I posted this to make sure I can safely continue holding out on the fine? I understand I need to write and send out complaint letters next if so. 

Gr1pr

Nobody is going to tell you to pay VCS

Let a judge decide in Court, if VCS take it that far 

For now, just do the complaints and study the other recent cases, especially if the PCN was for an area outside their jurisdiction

LDast

What "fine"?

GwalchGwyn

@LDast I meant the Charge Notice. Some people/organisations use fine and charge notice interchangeably.
Thanks @Gr1pr, I will post any updates and continue as advised on other threads.

Gr1pr

No private company can issue a fine , magistrates issue fines, in a magistrates court, its not been to one and never will 

Its either a parking charge notice under civil contract law ,, or a penalty under bylaws, nothing else, plus its very important to use the correct terminology in these cases , especially if complaining to the airport and to your local MP etc.  ditto in court too, never muddy the waters 

GwalchGwyn

Great advice, thanks. I'm not sure I understood all I've read about bylaws but sure I will get there.

Fruitcake

There are a number of threads about this entrapment site, especially people getting PCNs for stopping at the newly installed temporary light controlled crossing.

It's a shame you blabbed about the driver's identity because you threw away a valuable appeal point, but it is not fatal.

I suggest you start with reading the thread by @RRTechie, then complain to the relevant parties, all listed in his thread.

The major landowner shareholder, (a foreign investment company). Do not expect a reply.
The landowner's sub contractor, Bristol Airport Limited. Do not expect them to be on your side.
Your MP

State that stopping at traffic lights is mandatory as detailed in Bristol Airport Byelaws. The driver had no choice but to obey the red traffic lights.
Stopping is not parking as detailed in the persuasive appeal case of Jopson v Homeguard. VCS had no rights to obtain and processing the keeper's details from the DVLA for a non-parking event.
The driver cannot be responsible for the actions of an adult passenger. The driver did not breach parking Ts and Cs by stopping as required at a red light. The parking contract does not apply to vehicle passengers.

GwalchGwyn

Thanks for all the support. 

One thing I read in the previous posts was that it is important to write the complaint letters before appeal. My situation is that I appealed first until I had no further options and am now in the stages of receiving the debt recovery letters. Is this going to be an issue?
I have complained to the Landowners, BPA and the airport before I go to my MP. I couldn't find a template that was appropriate for my scenario so I put one together including the points you made above.

 

 

LDast

It doesn’t really matter at this stage. Just get complaint letters off to the parties mentioned. It puts everyone on record about the sleazy practices of this ex-clamper firm of cowboys and scammers.