picking up from the station

Tue 14 Nov 2017, 09:01

Hi Trevor, thank you posting the e-mail address. I have contacted Simon today. Hopefully, I can get the registration number logged onto the system so I don't receive any further fines while waiting for late trains! Thank you again for your help and enjoy Devon.

Tue 7 Nov 2017, 11:33

John...and anyone else banging their head against the GWR buffers.

We have moved away from Oxfordshire but still keep an occasional eye on the Charlbury website - hence we spotted this thread. When in Spelsbury I had a long and generally productive correspondence with GWR following complaints that people were getting 'fines' for over-staying the Charlbury Station car park when trains were delayed. The problems encountered by taxi drivers was also covered....and solved.

If you are having problems with parking issues at Charlbury Station then contact the following person who, I have found, has been helpful in the past.

Simon.Pritchard@gwr.com

Good luck....from Devon.

Fri 3 Nov 2017, 18:16

Sorry Peter, I don't understand. How can you not be charged? Thanks.

Fri 3 Nov 2017, 17:38

I understand there is an issue with pick up if the train is delayed.

However I have registered my car with Apcoa (for Charlbury) and ParkReg (for Oxford Parkway and Water Eaton) and have no problems with charging. In fact it's most likely that you don't get charged

Fri 3 Nov 2017, 16:07

We've been here before with regard to whether or not railway land is private land. See the earlier thread on this forum, and also the specialist forum PePiPoo, also moneysavingexpert.com.

Railway Bylaws apply on land owned by network rail, which means that the land is not straightforwardly private, & that has proved a difficulty for Apcoa in trying to enforce fines.

PePiPoo states "only a magistrate can impose any form of financial penalty for an alleged breach of railway byelaws in regard to parking. That doesn't stop Apcoa trying to claim you owe then a Parking Charge, nor does it stop debt collectors trying to enforce an alleged debt. Their alleged Parking Charge can only be enforced in the County Court as a civil debt."

Apparently Apcoa usually back down when challenged, but it's really not worth the risk of covering a number-plate & falling foul of the law. Sadly, Apcoa now operates the parking franchise for Oxford Parkway & also Water Eaton, but uses a different website & system for registering parking there.

Fri 3 Nov 2017, 09:52

James' point about covering your number plates seems perfectly valid. If it's private land, that's not an offence. And TVP could hardly be involved.

Thu 2 Nov 2017, 22:04

Remember they're not fines they are commercial invoices based on APCOA's belief that you are in breach of their contract - also known as extortion. The land is owned by Network Rail and hence bylaws apply so require Network Rail to make a claim through the Magistrates Court within six months. APCOA rely on a significant people being scared into paying up! A shameful way of doing business.

Wed 1 Nov 2017, 19:39

Clare King, GWR Station Manager did come to the September Town Council Planning Meeting and I did raise this issue with her yet again. Claire agreed to follow it up again as the measures taken so far are clearly not working.

We also understand that local licensed taxis can be registered with GWR. Claire King should be able to help you do this

Wed 1 Nov 2017, 19:07

James, you make me laugh - in a nice way! H

Wed 1 Nov 2017, 18:37

Hi Trevor, thank you for your help. I would like the e-mail address so that I can contact them and get my taxi registered. Hi Christine, I have already contacted The Cotswold Line Promotion Group (as advised by an ex town councillor) and spoke to a man called John Ellis and he has meetings arranged with Claire King to discuss the issues. If would be good if we could have one point of contact. Thank you everyone for your help. It is much appreciated.

Wed 1 Nov 2017, 17:41

Woody: Claire King of GWR was due attend the Planning Meeting of Charlbury Town Council on 25th Sept. Transport/station was also on the agenda of the last full council meeting on 25 October. I suggest that taxi drivers experiencing difficulties with GWR & parking also contact Charlbury Town Council to find out if this issue was discussed. Charlbury residents need taxis to be able and willing to pick up at the station without incurring huge costs!

The Town Council website is here, but in terms of agendas and minutes it is not up to date: www.charlburytowncouncil.co.uk

I know that Peter Kenrick (the Town Council Chairman) was due to meet Claire King, or you could also contact Roger Clarke (the Town Clerk). Their email addresses are on that site.

Wed 1 Nov 2017, 16:09

John (Woody) I was told by GWR that taxis should register with APCOA and they would then avoid any penalty fines caused by late running services. If this is not happening I can let you have the email address of the person in the office of the GWR MD with whom you can take this up. GWR does, at times, leave a lot to be desired when it comes to communication.

Wed 1 Nov 2017, 12:43

Why not cover your number plate with an old carrier bag or similar to avoid the problem? I can't see TVP sending in a SWAT team for that.

Wed 1 Nov 2017, 09:25

There should be NO charge for setting down and picking up passengers. Period.

Tue 31 Oct 2017, 18:59

Here you go Mike. A long thread abhout this problem that has, as you can see, been argued about for a long time and still has apparently not been solved to everyone's satisfaction.
forum.charlbury.info/thread/3841#22795

Tue 31 Oct 2017, 17:03 (last edited on Wed 1 Nov 2017, 18:38)

I contacted GWR and was told that you can't register a taxi to be exempt even with a Hackney plate. You either pay or buy a month's pass. You have to pay any fines. Several of us have been hit with fines on the same day as the camera failed to identify us leaving within the 20 minute slot. I work with Pete Scarrott (I'm known as Woody).

Tue 31 Oct 2017, 16:50

Mike, This issue was addressed some months ago and licensed taxis can apply to be registered with GWR and they will then not incur any fines.

Tue 31 Oct 2017, 15:07

I now have the job picking up grandchildren from the station, and because the train was late, got talking to a taxi driver. You are checked in by a camera as you enter, but if you stay longer than 20 mins you are fined £50. This seems excessive. I alway try now to get there at the last minute, but it's a real problem for taxis. They are providing a public service complemetary to the train journey, can't something be done? Perhaps taxis could register their number plates for exclusion - or the system could focus on the Hackney plate. They wouldn't mind putting 50p or £1 in a slot to get an hour. The other day a taxi met two trains, but the system failed to note his exit from the first so he got the £50 fine notice.