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I've also now had confirmation via the IAS:
"Thank you for your appeal. Due to further information Vehicle Control Services Ltd has confirmed they will no longer be pursuing the matter and the parking charge has been cancelled."

@DWMB2 - Yes tried them all.

@b789 - I used the tone of your messages/letters, but didn't get overly personal such as using the word thugs etc.

I've asked for Ioan to let me know the progress on my complaint, and where we are with VCS, still awaiting a reply.

Thanks everyone, I'll let you know how it all goes

I contacted the Airport using their website. There didn't seem any other way to contact them. Their reply:

"Thank you for getting in contact with us. By way of introduction, my name is Edward and I am one of the Customer Feedback Team for East Midlands Airport.
VCS, also known as Excel Parking, are a third party company who enforce the "No Stopping" zone in operation in and around the airport site, issuing fines to people in contravention of this. As such, you would need to take any correspondence in appeal of your fine up with them directly. We would not be able to assist with this.
You should find the information to appeal your fine in any correspondence they have sent you, including any escalation process as necessary, or you can also visit https://excelparkingservices.co.uk/contact/.
While we would not be able to assist further with this matter, I hope this helps point you in the right direction.
Kind regards,
Edward
Customer Feedback Team
Olympic House, Manchester Airport, M90 1QX"


I also posted this on MSE, and a couple of people have pointed out VCS are a different company to Excel Parking and I need to go back to Edward/Airport to escalate further. So I'll look into this.

Quick update, the airport wasn't interested in what I had to say to them, they just said to contact VCS or use the appeals process.

We have now got a witness statement signed and dated from a passenger in the vehicle as well as the mechanic that diagnosed the fault and then replaced the clutch system.

-----

I'm on the IAS website, looking at what details they are wanting to enter, I guess all we need to enter are:
  Myself;
  Yes;
  I am not prepared to say;
  Yes

I haven't entered anything yet...


"  Enter Motorist Details

Who are you representing / appealing the Notice of Unpaid Tariff on behalf of?
Choose: Another Person / Myself

Are you being held liable for the charge?
Choose: Yes / No

Were you the driver at the relevant time?
Choose: Yes / No / I am not prepared to say

Were you the keeper at the relevant time?
Choose: Yes / No  "

Yes, I will get the mechanics statement and send that along with other proof. Thanks

Hi,

I received a charge notice for my van stopping before a roundabout for less than 2 minutes in the early morning. The reason for the stop was the clutch slave cylinder had failed with no warning. The pedal went straight to the floor and vehicle stalled. Unable to initially get it in gear and driving again. It was then able to get in gear and continue driving out of the airport.

A new clutch kit (including master slave cylinder) was purchased from ebay the very same day, and gave VCS evidence of the purchase and receipt. As well as saying we would be willing to show them confirmation of the fitting by the professional mechanic if required.

We've already done an appeal to VCS, I didn't name the driver.
I highlighted the Airport byelaws for an emergency stop. Quoting the official East Midlands Airport byelaws document:
Section 4. Prohibited acts on parts of the airport to which the road traffic enactments do not apply.
(4) No person shall, EXCEPT AS REASONABLY NECESSARY IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, leave or park a vehicle or cause it to wait:-
(a) in an area where parking is prohibited by notice; or
(b) for a period in excess of the permitted time in an area where the period of waiting is restricted by notice.

VCS rejected the appeal stating "In your appeal it is unclear who the driver was when your vehicle was seen to be stopped on the access road. It is important we highlight that we will continue to pursue this matter on the reasonable assumption that you were the driver of the vehicle on the date in question until information/evidence to the contrary is provided.
We note your comment that you had a problem with your vehicle and stopped to investigate; however as stated, the
signs near to the location you stopped clearly stated "No Stopping" and warned that if you did so, you were liable for
the Charge displayed." VCS also suggested we should have called their helpline.

They ignored the fact this was an emergency stop, out of the driver's control, they didn't even acknowledge my reference to this, just saying "you had a problem with your vehicle and stopped to investigate".
And it obviously didn't occur to give them a call for the short amount of time it took, was just glad to be able to get out of the airport and didn't expect a less than 2-minute emergency stop to incur a charge notice.

A complaint message to the Airport has been sent today, about VCS Ltd ignoring the byelaws exemption for emergency stop situations which is detailed within their own 'east-midlands-airport-byelaws-2001-re-issued-september-2009.pdf'. And asked them for help in dismissing the case and awaiting a response.

Any additional help and advice are welcome.
Many thanks