The council and Manchester Airport are urging holidaymakers to beware of a series of companies who are advertising ‘secure’ meet-and-greet airport parking.
The 'meet and greet' firms, who are not connected to Manchester Airport, claim to provide secure parking - typically advertising a staffed 'compound', with CCTV protection - but instead, often leave customers’ cars unprotected outside local pubs, or parked bumper-to-bumper on residential streets in the Wythenshawe area, before returning them to unsuspecting holidaymakers on their return.
Some customers have been left waiting for several hours at the Airport for their cars to be returned - with some vehicles returned damaged.
Now, the council has stepped up enforcement action to prevent the cowboys from dumping customers' cars at five pubs in the Woodhouse Park area of Wythenshawe.
Council officers are also closely monitoring roads around Woodhouse Park - and where they suspect that a car has been "dumped", may have grounds to tow it away.
The council is liasing with the British Parking Association and Greater Manchester Police, as part of its approach.
The crackdown comes in support of residents who have been left unable to park near their own homes, or who have been disturbed by cars being driven late at night, often at high speeds, through residential areas, despite the presence of traffic calming measures.
Councillor Nigel Murphy, Executive Member for Neighbourhoods at Manchester City Council (pictured), said: “We’re working with Manchester Airport and Greater Manchester Police to ensure that no stone is left unturned when it comes to clamping down on these cowboy companies. Their activities are causing serious disturbance to Manchester residents and this will not be tolerated."
Wayne Poole, Landside Operations Director for Manchester Airport, said: “We frequently hear horror stories from passengers who have had bad experiences with unofficial ‘meet and greet’ companies operating from the airport.
“A number of operators imply they have links to the airport when they don’t, which often results in passengers believing they have purchased a car parking space with us.
“We welcome the crackdown by Manchester City Council and GMP and would urge all passengers looking to use meet and greet car parking facilities to book via our website. Anyone with any doubts about their car parking can verify it with our customer services team.”
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