Vehicle Control Services Limited - Charge Notice - Bristol Airport

Skiny

I went to Bristol airport to pick some friends up in the early hours of the morning a few weeks back. I waited outside the airport initially until they were ready, then we agreed to meet in the airport car park for pickups. However when I got there, it was closed due to construction that was going on.

I drove around looking for a place to stop to use my phone to find a new place to meet them, but couldn't find anywhere. Eventually I came to the Hilton hotel and stopped at the side of their entrance way to send a message. A minute later, my friends saw me there, walked over, got in and we left. Total stay time was 2-3 minutes.


I thought nothing of it, until I received letters from Vehicle Control Services Limited (Charge Notice - Notice to Keeper). Only these two letters have arrived, but unfortunately the letters went to my old address and I have only just received both.

The initial charge with their "discount" down to £60 has expired and I now have a final reminder from them. See below:

First:

Second:

I don't recall any signs saying no parking, but it was dark and late, so perhaps missed them. There might have been double yellow/double red lines, but I'm not sure. It was just by the junction to the main road, but before the barriers to get into the Hilton carpark.

What is the advised course of action? 

I have had a read of the newbies sticky thread, but I'm still not sure of the best way to proceed.

LDast

Re-read the Newbies/FAQ thread a few times until you understand it. Also teach for other VCS/Bristol Airport threads There's plenty of them.

Gr1pr

Read a dozen VCS Bristol airport threads by other victims on here, study the advice given ( know your enemy )

Some are currently court cases in progress, so understand those too

Email a Data Rectification Notice to the DPO at VCS too, you don't want paperwork going to old addresses 

Ensure that you have updated the DVLA twice, driving licence and also the V5c

Skiny

Thanks for the replies. I have read through some of them. From what I saw in one photo, I was waiting just by a double red line.



I remember a few years back, they could simply be ignored, but understand that things have changed since then.

How successful is it nowadays to fight these charges?

And in my case, given that I only just received the letters, is it worth attempting to make an issue out of that fact, to return to the initial £60 charge, before I proceed?

Gr1pr

That was 12 years ago, things are different these days 

Keep checking the court cases until there are a few results to study 

Probably not, incorrect DVLA details are the responsibility of the keeper, UNLESS it was unfortunate that the moving date and incident date were close together ?

Coupon-mad

Skiny said:

Thanks for the replies. I have read through some of them. 

How successful is it nowadays to fight these charges?

And in my case, given that I only just received the letters, is it worth attempting to make an issue out of that fact, to return to the initial £60 charge, before I proceed?

Obviously you don't offer VCS money.

If that was an option it would be in the NEWBIES thread!  Read it again. Just ignore them until you get the small claim.

Read some more court claim VCS Airport cases.  Tell VCS if you move house.

That is all.

EXCEPT:  never, ever stop on double red lines. Never.

Fruitcake

What a shame the car wasn't past the end of the double reds. Never mind. That cannot now be helped.

You need to read several other Bristol Airport threads, as well as other airport threads as well. I suggest you start with the one by RRTechie.

Important things to note,
Stopping is not parking as determined in the persuasive appeal case of Jopson v Homeguard.
Airport byelaws apply therefore the site is not relevant land, meaning the keeper cannot be held liable. It is therefore important not to reveal the driver's identity.
Bristol airport byelaws permit stopping in certain circumstances.

Skiny

Thanks, I appreciate all of the replies!

I have read a few at Bristol airport, and some seem still on-going, such as in the case of RRTechie.

Also, many seem to be in a better position overall (stopping at a red light for example), as opposed to myself being on red lines.

Is it still advisable to let it get to court in my situation, or is concealing the identity of the driver sufficient, given the airport byelaws that Fruitcake mentioned? 

Coupon-mad

Yes let it get to court.

Skiny

Even in my situation, where it would probably be easy for them to prove that I'm on double reds for a couple of minutes?

Is it still worth letting it get to the stage of court? Or are the chances of them dropping it significant?

Skiny

Even with people getting in the car, etc? I may have even gotten out of the car to help them with their luggage, but I can't remember as it was some time ago.

So I'm wondering in this case, how wise is it to get it progress to court. Many other cases on here seem to be still on-going, and have different situations, such as waiting at lights, etc, which overall puts them in a stronger position.