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#Post#: 116407--------------------------------------------------
APCOA PN - SW train station drop off - no permit/payment -
solicitors letter rec
DIR By: FlipFlop
Date: April 20, 2026, 6:38 am
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Hi all,
I have looked through other posts so if I have missed a relevant
one which would answer my query please link!
In Dec 2025 my car was used to drop off at southampton parkway
train station. The driver sat in the car for a few minutes, in
the 20 minute drop off point.
I received a penalty notice from apcoa just after Christmas. I
ignored it, as I have since lost a parent and been in hospital
myself.
The notice shows 2 pictures both times at 10.07am. The driver
didn't park and doesn't understand the liablility for any
charges as the time stamp on both pictures is the same.
I am now being chased, as the owner, by QDR solicitors, with
threats of enforcement if I don't pay, and a follow up letter
from GCTT enforcement agents. QDR are now calling also.
The driver only used the waiting area, to drop off a passenger,
but the wording is use of a private car park without a permit.
Did the driver turn around in an area crossing a point where
charges become liable? Further visits to the station show there
are no signs to suggest this is the case. The car park and
waiting area there are busy at the best of times and the driver
may have had to drive further in to turn around but doesn't
believe so.
I have had no contact with apcoa or QDR regarding this, what are
the options for this as it is a PN rather than a PCN? Is the
time stamp on both pictures being exactly the same relevant as
in this doesn't demonstrate any actual use of the car park?
letters with identifying details blanked out here
HTML https://postimg.cc/gallery/Yv1FTs8
Thank you for any advise! This shouldn't have been ignored but
that can't be changed now!
#Post#: 116421--------------------------------------------------
Re: APCOA PN - SW train station drop off - no permit/payment -
solicitors letter rec
DIR By: DWMB2
Date: April 20, 2026, 7:44 am
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What date in December? The legislation relating to train
stations and parking/penalty charges changed in December, so we
need the date of the event.
It being APCOA, the usual response is to ignore them.
#Post#: 116437--------------------------------------------------
Re: APCOA PN - SW train station drop off - no permit/payment -
solicitors letter rec
DIR By: FlipFlop
Date: April 20, 2026, 8:51 am
---------------------------------------------------------
11th December 2025, sorry I missed that!
So do I not acknowledge this at all? What happens if they
continue to chase/ take court action? I am getting letters from
GCTT who are certified enforcement agents, as well as from QDR.
Thank you for your reply!
#Post#: 116439--------------------------------------------------
Re: APCOA PN - SW train station drop off - no permit/payment -
solicitors letter rec
DIR By: jfollows
Date: April 20, 2026, 8:54 am
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It is our experience that APCOA don’t “do” court.
In the unlikely event that they do, you have a defence against a
civil claim because it was not “relevant land” under PoFA to
transfer liability from the unknown driver to the registered
keeper.
Ignore debt collectors anyway.
#Post#: 116440--------------------------------------------------
Re: APCOA PN - SW train station drop off - no permit/payment -
solicitors letter rec
DIR By: FlipFlop
Date: April 20, 2026, 8:55 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: FlipFlop link ---
>
> 11th December 2025, sorry I missed that!
>
> So do I not acknowledge this at all? What happens if they
continue to chase/ take court action? I am getting letters from
GCTT who are certified enforcement agents, as well as from QDR.
>
> Thank you for your reply!
>
--- End Quote ---
Also to add this is a penalty notice rather than a PCN, does the
same advise apply?
Thank you!
#Post#: 116442--------------------------------------------------
Re: APCOA PN - SW train station drop off - no permit/payment -
solicitors letter rec
DIR By: DWMB2
Date: April 20, 2026, 8:58 am
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I've yet to see APCOA take a single case to court, ever.
This being a penalty notice rather than a Parking Charge, there
would be even less incentive for them to go to court. As they
have alleged a breach of byelaws, this would be a criminal
matter. If they wanted to go to court, they would need to
prosecute you in the magistrates court. If they did this, they
would not get any financial reward, so there's pretty much no
incentive for them to do so.
Out of interest, can we see the letter from QDR?
#Post#: 116448--------------------------------------------------
Re: APCOA PN - SW train station drop off - no permit/payment -
solicitors letter rec
DIR By: FlipFlop
Date: April 20, 2026, 9:20 am
---------------------------------------------------------
HTML https://postimg.cc/ZCbqJJMt
Letter from QDR .. thought I had included this in the original
images!
#Post#: 116449--------------------------------------------------
Re: APCOA PN - SW train station drop off - no permit/payment -
solicitors letter rec
DIR By: FlipFlop
Date: April 20, 2026, 9:21 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Thank you!
So what do I do regarding the enforcement and solicitors
contact? Continue to ignore?
Letter from QDR attached in my post above, I hope!
#Post#: 116450--------------------------------------------------
Re: APCOA PN - SW train station drop off - no permit/payment -
solicitors letter rec
DIR By: jfollows
Date: April 20, 2026, 9:24 am
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Yes, ignore, they’re just debt collectors dressed up as
solicitors. GCTT likewise. Debt collectors have no power other
than trying to frighten you with words and red ink.
#Post#: 116453--------------------------------------------------
Re: APCOA PN - SW train station drop off - no permit/payment -
solicitors letter rec
DIR By: FlipFlop
Date: April 20, 2026, 9:34 am
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--- Quote from: jfollows link ---
>
> Yes, ignore, they’re just debt collectors dressed up as
solicitors. GCTT likewise. Debt collectors have no power other
than trying to frighten you with words and red ink.
>
--- End Quote ---
Thank you!
So do I just continue to ignore all contact? I've dealt with
debt collectors before, sadly, but the GCTT letter was more than
I expected.
Is there a particular letter I need to look out for where I need
to stop ignoring them?
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