Posted on the 13th October 2025 in PHTM News

TAXI DRIVERS CRITICISE NCP OVER PARKING CHARGE ISSUES AT GATWICK AIRPORT

Taxi drivers from Brighton and Hove are "slamming" NCP for what they claim are wrongfully issued Parking Charge Notices (PCNs) at Gatwick Airport. The drivers allege that fines result from NCP's "own system" and "terrible" camera recognition.

Mohammed Ahmed, chairman for the United Taxi Driver's Association which represent cabbies from across Sussex, stated the issue "discourages" drivers from taking trips to the airport:

  • "The issues have been so bad recently. We have a WhatsApp group of hundreds of drivers and every day without fail there is a message saying they have been issued a parking charge for entering and leaving Gatwick Airport."

  • "It just discourages the traders from taking trips to Gatwick, we don’t have this issue at Heathrow, Luton or Stanstead – so why can’t the NCP and the airport get it right?”

Drivers subscribe to the NCP AutoPay app, which is meant to automatically take payment when a vehicle's registration is picked up by a camera upon entry and exit. Mr. Ahmed called the number of times payment wasn't taken as "astronomical" and questioned the system's value:

  • “What’s the point of us subscribing to the app if we are just going to get fined for doing nothing wrong?"

  • “These aren’t miniscule charges either, they could be worth the cost of a whole trip from Brighton to Gatwick.”

Andrew Peters (pictured) of the Brighton and Hove Cab Trade Association also called the NCP AutoPay system "not fit for purpose" and said the PCNs "lack common sense."

  • “Even though drivers have signed up for AutoPay believing that payments for parking will automatically be paid, this has proved not to be the case and parking penalty notices are sent out."

  • He advises that NCP "should stop sending out PCNs where they have failed to apply the parking fee to anyone subscribed to the AutoPay system."

  • He concluded: “Lastly, I would advise anyone who is subscribed to the AutoPay system that is sent a PCN from NCP to appeal in the first place and then take it all the way as I cannot see any court being sympathetic to a company that relies on poor technology.”

London Gatwick responded by saying it would be "working to upgrade" the camera systems and confirmed they are "working with our parking provider, NCP, to ensure vehicles are correctly recognised upon entry and exit from the airport."

  • A spokesman added: “Any incorrectly issued PCNs will be cancelled directly through NCP."

  • They also advised Autopay users "to keep their vehicle, and payment details up to date through their Autopay account."

NCP, however, said it "does not recognise any wider issues" with its camera systems and stated it was "confident" in its payment systems, despite being provided with examples of multiple parking charges related to vehicle recognition.


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