A20 sidcup Bypass fine...what have I done wrong?

Horbach

Full Member
Posts
32
Likes
35
Hello

I am from Switzerland and traveled around the UK some weeks ago. Today I got a invoice from "Euro Parking Collection" with a vague description that I used a toll road without paying toll for. It only says "A20 sidcup Bypass". And it costs roughly 400£ (if I pay within 14 days...if not, it will be much more).

I am not aware that I did something wrong there. Any suggestions?

Regards, Marcel
 
"Euro Parking Collection" seem to be very good a sending out "dubious fines" if you Google search them and see how many complaints are online about the company, the only toll road is the M25 Dartford river Thames crossing you pay online as there are no toll booths and certainly None on the A20 Sidcup Bypass, ignore it, or ask for more exact photgraphic evidence of where the offence took place
 
Last edited:
Horbach said:
Hello

I am from Switzerland and traveled around the UK some weeks ago. Today I got a invoice from "Euro Parking Collection" with a vague description that I used a toll road without paying toll for. It only says "A20 sidcup Bypass". And it costs roughly 400£ (if I pay within 14 days...if not, it will be much more).

I am not aware that I did something wrong there. Any suggestions?

Regards, Marcel
Click to expand...


Hi Marcel, looks like it might be a speed camera, £400 seems a bit steep, Andy
 
andyjanet said:
Hi Marcel, looks like it might be a speed camera, £400 seems a bit steep, Andy
Click to expand...

Only the Police operate speed camera fines they send out an official notice of prosecution
 
Last edited:
It says (translated from german): "Use of a Vehicle on a street in a zone liable to charge without paying the fee at the given time and place."

What about that low emission zone thing?
 
Horbach said:
It says (translated from german): "Use of a Vehicle on a street in a zone liable to charge without paying the fee at the given time and place."

What about that low emission zone thing?
Click to expand...
The low emmission zone does start at A20 Sidcup if travelling into London, but this is operated by TFL, Transport for London, I don't think they pursue fines for foreign registered vehicles, it Only applies to Diesel commercial vehicle sthe minumum requiement is Euro3 diesel engine
 
Last edited:
Ok, I got an advice to check my carplate on tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/pay-a-pcn (which is very official)

And there is really a threat listed, saying I didn't pay the Low Emission charge. And my fine was forwarded to an enforcement agent.

Ok, seems to be real.

But now I read that the LEZ charge applies only for commercial diesel vehicles. I drove a private Petrol-Van.

Or does the LEZ also apply for petrol cars?
 
Horbach said:
Ok, I got an advice to check my carplate on tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/pay-a-pcn (which is very official)

And there is really a threat listed, saying I didn't pay the Low Emission charge. And my fine was forwarded to an enforcement agent.

Ok, seems to be real.

But now I read that the LEZ charge applies only for commercial diesel vehicles. I drove a private Petrol-Van.

Or does the LEZ also apply for petrol cars?
Click to expand...


No, LEZ is only for diesel and bio diesel at the moment.
 
Horbach said:
Ok, I got an advice to check my carplate on tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/pay-a-pcn (which is very official)

And there is really a threat listed, saying I didn't pay the Low Emission charge. And my fine was forwarded to an enforcement agent.

Ok, seems to be real.

But now I read that the LEZ charge applies only for commercial diesel vehicles. I drove a private Petrol-Van.

Or does the LEZ also apply for petrol cars?
Click to expand...

The TFL website says this about foreign-registered vehicles:
About the LEZ - Transport for London
"Vehicles registered outside the UK

If you're driving a vehicle registered outside the UK, you'll need to register it with us to let us know that it meets the LEZ emissions standards so we can add your vehicle to our database.

It's important that you do this, because if you drive in the LEZ without registering, even if your vehicle meets the standards, you'll have to pay the daily charge, or may receive a Penalty Charge Notice."

The point would appear to be that they cannot determine whether your vehicle meets standards or is not chargeable because of your fuel type, and they impose a duty on drivers of foreign-registered vehicles to register with them in advance in order to prove that they are exempt/compliant.
 
This is also a salutory reminder that certain traffic offences committed in other Euopean countries can find their way back to the UK.
 
I just calles TFL. They were not very helpful and gave me the phone number of the company that sent me the bill (obviousley TFL does not send fines to other countries).
But there, nobody answers.

I hope I can still do something against it. Even if my car was not registred :-(
 
Horbach said:
I just calles TFL. They were not very helpful and gave me the phone number of the company that sent me the bill (obviousley TFL does not send fines to other countries).
But there, nobody answers.

I hope I can still do something against it. Even if my car was not registred :-(
Click to expand...

Not sure how enforceable the fine is ? Pretty likely somebody on here will know .
If not enforceable you could just ignore unless you intend to drive in London with same vehicle .
Otherwise contact them don't , necessarily , accept first response
 
I wrote the TFL an email with some questions. Hope I'll get an answer soon.

The really hairy thing is that the penalty, according to the TFL site is 500£, but only half of it if paid within 14 days.
The EPC PLC wants to charge me 420£ within the first 14 days. That makes bloody 270£ just for the collection company.

I think this is highly unfair. Any UK resident would have to pay less than half of it.

Really makes me think if I'll ever spend my holidays in the UK again. It's a nice way to say thanks to someone who spent some 30 weeks in the last 10 years there.
 
Horbach said:
I wrote the TFL an email with some questions. Hope I'll get an answer soon.

The really hairy thing is that the penalty, according to the TFL site is 500£, but only half of it if paid within 14 days.
The EPC PLC wants to charge me 420£ within the first 14 days. That makes bloody 270£ just for the collection company.

I think this is highly unfair. Any UK resident would have to pay less than half of it.

Really makes me think if I'll ever spend my holidays in the UK again. It's a nice way to say thanks to someone who spent some 30 weeks in the last 10 years there.
Click to expand...
I live in London low emission zone, so I have to pay or buy vehicles that comply with the rules.

I could have an old diesel camper and only do a couple of thousand miles, BUT that is not allowed.

:(:(:(
 
Horbach said:
I wrote the TFL an email with some questions. Hope I'll get an answer soon.

The really hairy thing is that the penalty, according to the TFL site is 500£, but only half of it if paid within 14 days.
The EPC PLC wants to charge me 420£ within the first 14 days. That makes bloody 270£ just for the collection company.

I think this is highly unfair. Any UK resident would have to pay less than half of it.

Really makes me think if I'll ever spend my holidays in the UK again. It's a nice way to say thanks to someone who spent some 30 weeks in the last 10 years there.
Click to expand...

And there's the issue Marcel.

TFL expect you as a visitor to know about their arcane rules and then will not talk directly to you when you inadvertently fall foul of those same rules. At least Dick Turpin turned up to the gig.

I do feel you are being very badly treated by this faceless bunch of legitimised thieves and I am ashamed to be associated, by dint of nationality, with them. For what its worth I apologise for their high handed and cowardly action.

Cheers

H
 
I understand your point ***** but this shower are a quango of sorts and not the law.

Bloody disgrace to push on with this penalty in my opinion.

Cheers

H
 
Everyone is missing the major point !! Marcel was driving a Petrol engined van, which is NOT subject to the LEZ, Low emmission zone !! you can drive Any Petrol engined vehicle into London, maybe not so in a few more years time though
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:0)

Back
Top