Driver entered the drop-off area at T2 of Manchester Airport at around 17:25 on 20/01/2026. Driver exited the area at around 17:30. On exit Driver understood a £5 charge was due by midnight of the following day.
At around 00:20 on 22/01/2026, Driver recalled a charge was due and attempted to make the payment. While attempting to make the payment, Driver observed the Manchester Airport online payment system only offered 21/01/2026 and 22/01/2026 as dates of visit for which it would accept payment. Driver paid the charge but logged it with entry of 17:30 on 21/01/2026. Driver noted the purchase id generated by the system. Driver immediately sent an email to the support email address offered by the operator so as to provide details of the visit and details of the payment including the purchase id and asked the operator to match the payment to the visit and clear the debt.
All subsequent correspondence summarised below.
On 06/02/2026, Driver received an email from the operator which seemed to suggest all was well and that, after some time, the charge and payment would reconcile.
On 06/02/2026, Driver replied to the operator by email and clarified to the operator his understanding of the email Driver had received and advised the operator that Driver would take no further action unless such was requested by the operator.
On 10/02/2026, the Registered Keeper of the vehicle driven by Driver received a Parking Charge demand from APCOA Parking. The demand was dated 28/01/2026 and referred to the visit on 20/01/2026. The amount of the charge was £100 to be paid within 28 days discounted to £60 if payment was made within 14 days.
On 10/02/2026, Driver sent an email to the operator advising them of the Parking Charge demand from APCOA Parking and of steps already taken by Driver to clear up the matter and requested the operator to cancel the PCN.
On 16/03/2026, the Registered Keeper received a demand from Debt Recovery Plus. The demand was dated 04/03/2026 and referred to the visit on 20/01/2026. The amount of the charge was £170 and payment was to be made by 18/03/2026. The demand included a comment that if the Registered Keeper does nothing then their financial loss will increase significantly if the case goes to court and Registered Keeper is unsuccessful.
Driver has not responded to APCOA of DRP. What advice do the experts offer?
