Massive airport fine for pensioner

Patrick Corcoran contacted the Herald&Post after our front page story last week revealed organisations like APCOA do not have a legal right to recover a parking fine without first taking court action.

Mr Corcoran of Icknield said: “I haven’t got a clue what I did wrong.

“I took my family to the airport to pick up tickets. I hadn’t been for a while and it had all changed. I couldn’t see where to stop so dropped them off. Then I saw two policemen and asked them where to go.”

Four months later Mr Corcoran received a letter from Roxburghe Debt Collectors advising him they had been instructed to collect £122 on behalf of their client APCOA Parking Limited.

He telephoned immediately and was told APCOA had sent him an enforcement notice in April: “I was informed the amount was increasing daily, I was about to be placed on the debtors register if I did not pay and that Roxburghe had the power to pursue this matter to a conclusion.”

He was advised to pay the total amount then appeal it, based on the fact he had not received the original notice.

Last month he received a letter from APCOA enclosing a copy of the parking charge notice and claiming they were unable to cancel it or issue a refund.

“I have vigorously questioned their complaints and appeals procedure and I now intend taking this matter up wth my MP,” Mr Corcoran said.

> Have you had similar problems? Our contact details are on page 2.