Bristol Airport VCS - PCN for 15 seconds

Spottydog65

Hi everyone. I'm so glad I found this forum and the amazing amount of advice on it. Thank you for the time you put into helping us!

I've worked my way through the NEWBIE posts and am closely following another thread which has similar issues with VCS and DcbLegal ~and been really helpful so far. I've written a letter of complaint to my MP, to Bristol's MP (no response from either so far), to Ontario teachers who didn't respond but sent my issue to their rep at BA who emailed me, and I've separately complained to Bristol Airport (BA) but not yet had a response - which breaches their 15 days guaranteed response time so I will be contacting them again.
 
I've now received a LoC from DCBLegal (first one) which gives me 30 days to respond or pay. To be honest I'm finding it all really stressful which I guess is their tactic.

This forum has kept me sane! 

I'm trying now to work out my next steps. I'll post my info below in case anyone can help me cut through the treacle any quicker! 

KeithP

The first few lines of the second post of the NEWBIES thread explain exactly how to react upon receipt of a Letter of Claim.

Spottydog65

KeithP said:

The first few lines of the second post of the NEWBIES thread explain exactly how to react upon receipt of a Letter of Claim.

Yes, thanks, got that one. Already drafting response using that......although I'm not so sure I want to use "Don't send me your usual blather about that." tempting as that might be! Am I reading it right though that the response shouldn't be send until just before the 30 days? not sure I have that correct?

Coupon-mad

Depends if you want to delay it 2 months so that the claim arrives in early 2025 rather than at Xmas. I would delay it but not everyone is the same.  Up to you.

Spottydog65

Here’s the background: Received a PCN from Vehicle Control Services - which gave a reason for issue as  "46) STOPPING IN A ZONE WHERE STOPPING IS PROHIBITED.” Unfortunately I hadn't found this forum at that point so I appealed. I didn't identify myself as the driver but mentioned why I halted in the road which they then took to mean I was driving. I also appealed to IAS which as this forum confirms is a waste of time - it was. 
Long story short..paid for parking, exited car park and went the wrong way. Realised and turned round at the Hilton, made a momentary halt to check which way to go (didn't exit the car, didn't turn off the engine, didn't park) as I moved off I got my sleeve stuck on the arm rest and had to free it - couldn't obviously drive while it was stuck as that would have been unsafe. Entire issue lasted around 15 seconds (which is what VCS got on their camera!). VCS claimed I "stopped for an unreasonable amount of time”  and told me I should have "used the 24-hour helpline telephone number that is clearly displayed on all VCS signage for motorists experiencing difficulty"
Interesting as to use a phone while driving is illegal – perhaps they were encouraging me to park in the road?
They also used site photographs to support their claim that were over two years old! 

Coupon-mad

Yep that makes no sense. VCS make no sense!

fisherjim

VCS are scamming muppets, however:

I didn't identify myself as the driver but mentioned why I halted in the road which they then took to mean I was driving.

Is a bit contradictory isn't it, I think that pretty much identifies you as the driver!

But the rest of their drivel is just excuses to pin a ridiculous charge on you.

D_P_Dance

IMO this is an unfair  term in a contract.  There are many reason why you need ti stop, to avoid hitting another vehicle/person, to investigate a warning light, to close a door, etc., etc.,n  Read this

Unfair contract terms explained

and invite the PPC to comment.

LDast

What contract? There are no contractual terms to agree to. Just follow the advice.

Spottydog65

LDast said:

What contract? There are no contractual terms to agree to. Just follow the advice.

Indeed.. From what I have read on this forum, the issue of 'contract' is a good point. I can't see there is one either. Thanks

Spottydog65

D_P_Dance said:

IMO this is an unfair  term in a contract.  There are many reason why you need ti stop, to avoid hitting another vehicle/person, to investigate a warning light, to close a door, etc., etc.,n  Read this

Unfair contract terms explained

and invite the PPC to comment.

It's nonsense in any case.  Under the law.... It is a legal requirement to stop your vehicle if you become tangled in your clothing in a way that could impair your ability to drive safely.
So they are telling me I should break the law  and just carry on driving unsafely.