Stansted APCOA Parking Fine

Moneymike

Location: Stansted Airport Express Set Down
Alleged Breach: No valid payment made (barrierless system – pay online/by phone by midnight next day)
PCN Amount: £100 (£60 if paid within 14 days; I have not paid)

Context

I received a PCN after using the Stansted Express Set Down area. I wasn’t aware of the change to a barrierless, online-only payment system (previously you could pay at the barrier). After receiving the postal PCN, I appealed to APCOA. Unfortunately, in my appeal I used “I/my” wording and therefore inadvertently admitted to being the driver. My appeal was rejected, so I then appealed to POPLA using legal/technical arguments.

1. What happened?

I received a £100 (£60 discounted) PCN from APCOA for using the Stansted Express Set Down zone without making the required online payment.

The visit was very short (just over 4 minutes).

I genuinely did not realise the payment system had changed from barriers/pay-on-exit to barrierless/online-only.

2. My Initial Appeal to APCOA

I explained the confusion and offered to pay the original £7 fee.

I inadvertently used “I/my” wording, which admitted to being the driver.

APCOA rejected my appeal, stating the signs were clear and payment should have been made online/by midnight next day.

3. My POPLA Appeal

I appealed to POPLA with a focus on:

The site being “non-relevant land” under POFA (so keeper liability shouldn’t apply).

The NTK not being POFA compliant.

Contract formation issues and inadequate signage.

No evidence of actual loss.

APCOA responded that because I admitted being the driver, they are pursuing me as the driver (not under POFA/keeper liability), and supplied photos of signage and a redacted contract with the landowner.

4. Where I am now

POPLA is considering my case.

APCOA’s evidence includes photos of signage, site maps, and a statement that driver liability applies.

I’m unsure of my chances since I admitted to being the driver, and I want advice on whether I have any further grounds to fight the charge, or if it’s better to pay if I lose at POPLA. Can I get some guidance here please.

Coupon-mad

Yeah you blew it (I'm being honest here) because you had 100% win as keeper. You know that now!

Unclear signs is your only winning point, not that you'll pay anything if you lose at POPLA!

Please download the evidence pack as you won't be able to access it later.

Then show us all their images of the supposed 'clear' contractual £100 signs including the one overhead as you approach.