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#Post#: 98202--------------------------------------------------
PCN - Manchester Airport drop off - Nov 25
DIR By: Heat
Date: November 14, 2025, 12:05 pm
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Hi,
The driver had a surprise when receiving this PCN. It appears as
though there is a barrierless chargeable drop-off zone they went
through and were unaware.
HTML https://photos.app.goo.gl/s8Krq3ZzF8D92bPq5
They were driving on their way to the airport multi-storey car
park and their sat nav took them through this drop-off area. It
was night/dark, raining, and they noticed no signs it was
chargeable (I've uploaded a screenshot from Google Maps of their
route - the yellow highlight area is apparently the APNR bit).
Their vehicle DID NOT stop/park (the 1min 20seconds from entry
to exit, was the time it took to drive the road distance), and
then moment later they entered and used the T2 Multi-Storey West
car park
The driver obviously wants to contest this charge as
1. They didnt know they would be charged to drive through
2. At no time did they stop/park the vehicle in this area
3. They were on their way to the multi-storey, which they used
moments later (which I assume they have on record as it had
cameras)
They've written the below appeal to APCOA with the help of chat
GPT - I'd love your feedback on if this is a suitable appeal
response or if it can be improved. Thanks!
Subject: Parking Charge Notice [PCN Number] – Formal Appeal
Dear APCOA Parking,
I am the registered keeper of the vehicle referenced in your
Parking Charge Notice.
I am appealing this charge on the basis that no parking or
stopping occurred, no contract was formed, and inadequate
signage failed to alert the driver that they were entering a
paid drop-off zone.
1. No stopping, no parking – vehicle was only driving through
Your ANPR images show an entry-to-exit period of only 1 minute
20 seconds.
During this time, the vehicle did not stop, did not drop off
passengers, and did not park. It was simply driving through the
roadway, attempting to reach the T2 Multi-Storey West car park.
The BPA Code of Practice defines parking/stopping as a
deliberate stationary event.
This did not happen.
2. The driver was navigating to the T2 Multi-Storey West car
park
The driver was using sat-nav guidance, which directed them
through what appeared to be the normal access road to the
multi-storey car park. The layout funnels vehicles directly
through this area, and in darkness and rain it was not apparent
that this was a chargeable zone.
3. Signage was insufficient to form a contract
At the time of travel it was dark and raining, and the signs
indicating that the area was a paid drop-off zone were not
visible or prominent before entering.
The BPA Code of Practice (Section 19) requires that:
Signs must be clear, prominent and adequately lit
Drivers must have the opportunity to review terms before
entering a contract
This was not the case here.
4. Evidence of immediate entry into the official airport car
park
Immediately after passing through the drop-off zone, the vehicle
entered the T2 Multi-Storey West car park, where it legitimately
parked.
ANPR/barrier logs will confirm this.
This clearly shows:
The driver was not intending to use the drop-off zone
The route was taken solely to reach the car park
There was no motive or benefit in avoiding payment
5. Grace periods apply
The BPA Code of Practice requires reasonable observation and
grace periods, especially when:
Road layouts are confusing
Drivers are unfamiliar with the airport
Signage is not clearly visible
1 minute 20 seconds is fully consistent with a driver simply
navigating through in moving traffic.
Conclusion
Because the driver:
Did not stop or park
Saw no clear signage
Immediately proceeded to the official multi-storey car park
Spent only 1 minute 20 seconds moving through
Could not reasonably have reviewed or accepted any terms
…no parking contract was formed, and the charge must therefore
be cancelled.
I request that this PCN be cancelled. If you reject this appeal,
I require a POPLA code so the matter can be assessed
independently.
Yours faithfully,
[Your Name]
Registered Keeper
#Post#: 98204--------------------------------------------------
Re: PCN - Manchester Airport drop off - Nov 25
DIR By: DWMB2
Date: November 14, 2025, 12:09 pm
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The driver hasn't received anything. APCOA don't have any idea
who was driving, they have written to the keeper of the vehicle.
As Manchester Airport is subject to byelaws, it is subject to
"statutory control", and as such, not relevant land for the
purposes of Schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act,
meaning they cannot hold the keeper liable. You could therefore
simply appeal along the lines of the below:
[indent]Dear Sirs,
I have received your Parking Charge Notice (Ref: ______) for
vehicle registration mark _______, in which you allege that the
driver has incurred a parking charge. I am appealing as the
registered keeper of the vehicle. There is no obligation for me
to name the driver and I will not be doing so. I note from your
correspondence that you are not seeking to hold me liable as the
registered keeper, under Schedule 4 of the Protection of
Freedoms Act 2012 ("The Act").
Even if you were seeking to do so, as the Manchester Airport is
not "relevant land" as defined by The Act you are unable to
recover the charge from me, the keeper.
I am therefore unable to help you further with this matter, and
look forward to your confirmation that the charge has been
cancelled. If you choose to decline this appeal, you must issue
a POPLA code.
Yours,[/indent]
If appealing online, make sure there are no drop down boxes etc.
that force/trick you into revealing who was driving - you are
appealing as the keeper, and saying nothing about who was
driving. If you are not the registered keeper of the vehicle,
with the V5C in your possession, tell us, as the appeal will be
different.
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