Overview
- Kevin Smith, 68, paid the £5 rapid drop‑off fee on the official app for two visits and later received two £100 penalty notices for those stays.
- Nottinghamshire reporting says the first visit took place on June 30 and that fines were issued because payments were made while the car was still inside the ANPR‑monitored drop‑off area.
- East Midlands Airport uses a barrier‑free ANPR system that charges £5 for up to 15 minutes and £1 per extra minute to a 30‑minute cap, and the app warns drivers to leave the forecourt before completing payment unless enrolled in AutoPay.
- APCOA has cancelled one £100 notice after an appeal and is reviewing the second; Mr Smith says he will continue to contest the outstanding charge and may take the case to court.
- The case highlights how camera‑only drop‑off systems and payment timing rules can confuse genuine payers and may prompt more appeals, with drivers advised to keep payment receipts, consider AutoPay or the Long Stay free hour, and use APCOA then POPLA appeals routes if needed.