DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
FreeTrafficLegalAdvice
HTML https://ftla.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Private parking tickets
*****************************************************
#Post#: 42761--------------------------------------------------
Gatwick Short Stay - Impending problem... maybe?
DIR By: Mortimer
Date: October 28, 2024, 5:24 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Recently had to visit Gatwick North several times over a couple
of days as the wife was trying to recover a lost suitcase.
Anyway, each visit the car we were travelling in was parked in
the North Terminal Short Stay carpark. Three sessions in total.
The first visit a ticket was obtained recording an entry at
about 01:15, when we went to leave about an hour later, on
presenting the ticket to the machine, it simply said "Drive to
exit", which we did. On arriving at the exit barrier, the screen
on the machine said reading registration, popped up the
registration on the screen and then opened the barrier and we
left.
The subsequent two visits were around 16:50 the same day (Sunday
27th) and today (28th) at around 20:35. These two visits cost
£10 each.
I put the first visit not be charged down to it being in the
small hours of the morning. Later investigation however it would
seem that the short stay is a 24hr carpark and there are no free
time periods listed. The minimum is 0 to 30 mins at £6, 31-60
mins at £10.
On the last visit I asked a member of Easyjet staff if she knew,
and she said "Oh they're very clever, I'd advise going online
and paying the £5 drop off fee, otherwise they'll send you a
ticket for £100."
I got home and thought "No that can't be right." the drop off
route is completely separate, and we definitely didn't go
anywhere near it.
I think I know what happened now though...
I think that going into the carpark at 01:15, and leaving an
hour later, it would be 02:10 exit, BUT... the clocks went back
at 02:00, so I think the machine basically thought we were
within the 10 minute period to change our minds and leave the
car park without committing to parking and paying.
Does this sound plausible, and should we just wait and see what
happens, or should we be taking any other action?
#Post#: 42771--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gatwick Short Stay - Impending problem... maybe?
DIR By: DWMB2
Date: October 28, 2024, 6:06 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Gatwick being subject to statutory controls, in the form of
byelaws, means that the car parks and drop off zones are not
'relevant land' for the purpose of Schedule 4 of the Protection
of Freedoms Act 2012. As a result, the parking company have no
mechanism through which to hold the registered keeper liable,
and can only recover the charge from the driver, whose identity
they do not know.
Do nothing for now - if you receive any parking charge notices,
come back here for further advice and we'll be able to suggest
suitable appeals.
#Post#: 42772--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gatwick Short Stay - Impending problem... maybe?
DIR By: Mortimer
Date: October 28, 2024, 6:12 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Thanks, I figured as much having read a few more posts here
about Gatwick.
Will just sit back and wait.
#Post#: 89709--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gatwick Short Stay - Impending problem... maybe?
DIR By: Mortimer
Date: September 12, 2025, 1:18 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Hmmm! Managed to do something similar again.
Was dropping the wife off at Gatwick Airport. Rather than just
drop her off and leave, paying £7 for the privilege, I figured I
would go to short stay, go in with her have a coffee and
whatnot.
However on arriving at a space in the car park, she said there
wasn't enough time before she had to go through to the gate, and
not bother so I left.
As I hadn't got out of the car, I was hoping there was a way to
pay at the barrier, so drove to them and they have contactless
readers on them, so figured if a charge was due the barrier
would stay down, but... A message appeared about reading my
number plate, and then it raised the barrier and let me leave.
Gatwick information is that the short stay car park minimum fee
is £7 for 30 minutes, £10 for an hour.
I am guessing this time it was because I was in the car park for
about 8 minutes, and that this is within the period of time that
has to be allowed for someone to change their mind and leave the
car park, would that sound right?
Anyway, I guess I'll wait to see if any litter arrives and deal
with it then, and as stated it should lead to nowt.
#Post#: 89710--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gatwick Short Stay - Impending problem... maybe?
DIR By: DWMB2
Date: September 12, 2025, 1:53 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Gatwick is still subject to byelaws as per my previous reply, so
regardless of the specifics of the case, the charge can still be
appealed on the basis of my previous response.
Come back if you receive anything through the post.
#Post#: 89742--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gatwick Short Stay - Impending problem... maybe?
DIR By: b789
Date: September 13, 2025, 4:59 am
---------------------------------------------------------
In every case involving a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) from a
private, unregulated parking firm, you should never identify the
driver. This is especially important for alleged contraventions
on land under statutory control—such as airports, railway
stations, and ports—because that land is not ‘relevant land’
under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (PoFA). As a result,
the operator cannot use PoFA to transfer liability from an
unknown driver to the registered keeper. By not naming the
driver, you prevent the operator from holding the keeper liable
under PoFA.
*****************************************************
Page 1 of 1