Bristol Airport passengers have been warned to be vigilant about where they park. Travellers flying from the airport have been urged to be careful about booking car parking services online by North Somerset Council’s Trading Standards Team.
Numerous complaints have been received about rogue car parking companies operating in the area, leaving travellers stranded and vehicles at risk. These companies often present themselves as legitimate operators officially linked to the airport, with professional-looking websites and competitive prices.
However, once customers hand over their keys, many have reported poor service and lack of security including cars left in a field or on a local highway with no security, damage to vehicles and and cars appearing to have been driven, with unexplained mileage found on the clock. On occasion some passengers have also reported being left stranded at the airport with no answer from the trader on return
Councillor James Clayton, executive member for safety in the community at North Somerset Council, said: “We are seeing an increasing number of travellers who use Bristol Airport being misled by rogue parking companies. These operators not only compromise the safety of your vehicle but also exploit your trust with deceptive practices. It is crucial for travellers to be diligent and choose parking services wisely.
“Our priority is to ensure consumers are informed and protected. We urge anyone who encounters suspicious parking offers to report them to Citizens Advice so that they can be looked into.”
Gareth Mellors, Trading Standards Manager added: “We are committed to protecting consumers from these deceptive practices and are working closely with our partner agencies to address this issue through enforcement of the law and planning rules, but it is crucial that customers also take action to protect themselves.
“While we will pursue formal action against rogue traders when there is sufficient evidence to do so, remember, your peace of mind and the safety of your vehicle are paramount. Always choose parking services from well-known, reputable providers, such as the airport’s own parking options”.
To protect yourself from such problems as those listed above, we advise the following:
- Always book your airport parking through trusted platforms such as links directly provided from the airport’s website.
- Thoroughly read the terms and conditions to ensure you are happy with the service being provided and know which the identity of the business you are contracting with.
- Check reviews and ratings on trusted review sites. Be cautious of companies with limited or overwhelmingly negative feedback.
- Ensure the company has a verifiable physical address and a working contact number. Avoid businesses that only provide a mobile number or have no address listed.
- Use secure payment methods, such as credit cards, that offer fraud protection.
- Trusted parking services often have industry accreditation or belong to trade associations such as the British Parking Association (BPA) or Park Mark.
- If you suspect a company is acting illegally or if you have fallen victim to a scam, report it immediately to the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 or visit the Citizens Advice website.