AIRPORT parking scammers running a “meet and greet” racket constantly block residential roads, locals have fumed.
They say the alleged conmen dump up to 60 cars a week on their quiet streets near Manchester International, leaving them nowhere to park their own motors.
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Frances Bragg, who has lived on one of the worst affected roads in the area for 46 years, described the situation as “dreadful”.
The 75-year-old retired cook, of Lincombe Road, said: “You see the holidaymakers with their suitcases and they park up and then it’s a five-minute walk to the airport.
“It’s awful round here, and on other lanes nearby it’s equally ridiculous.”
Maureen Meek, a retired nurse and regular visitor to her sister-in-law Brenda, who lives on equally impacted Thornsgreen Road, also told of her constant problems trying to pull up.
The 84-year-old said: “I have trouble every time when I want to park round here.
“They are shameless with their suitcases and just leaving their cars in front of other people’s homes.”
Retired waitress Brenda, 79, added: “They are getting really cocky with their parking.
“We see them all the time getting their suitcases out of the cars.”
On neighbouring Cricklewood Road among the many cars parked at one end was a van belonging to a billiards firm from Sheffield.
A middle-aged man in the street declined to give his name, but said: “It’s a meet and greet scam.
“Most of these drivers probably think their car is on a secure site after handing over the keys at the airport – not on a public road in Wythenshawe with some residents fed up with the fly parking going on.
“We can get 50 or 60 different cars along here in a week, so that must be good business for someone.”
He continued: “A few years ago someone came back from their holidays to find white emulsion reading ‘No Parking’ on their flashy new red car.
“I am sure the scam parking operatives had some explaining to do after that.”
Locals say Manchester Airport has long had issues attracting travellers who ditch their vehicles on nearby residential streets.
Some say the cowboy firms even drive the cars thousands of miles while their owner’s are away – or damage or steal them.
But a council and police crackdown has made life easier for some previously troubled by abandoned cars.
We can get 50 or 60 different cars along here in a week, so that must be good business for someone.
One 92-year-old campaigner revealed that the once horrendous parking issues on her street beside Painswick Park have been alleviated.
But those on Cricklewood and around Lincombe at Woodhouse Park on the sprawling Wythenshawe estate bordering the airport are now suffering as a result.
Many of the homeowners are seemingly fearful of speaking on the record due to the people behind the “meet and greet motor con” living among them.
One 21-year-old, who did not wish to be named, said: “It’s really a problem.
“Residents with cars struggle to get parking at times.”
And the 92-year-old activist who successfully moved the dodgy parking operatives on by uniting residents against the nightmare said: “We started off a few of us asking people not to park but it turned out these were people mainly collecting cars at the airport and supposedly taking them to secure parking.
“That was the beginning of it and it got nasty.”
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The pensioner said the group took it to their MP and it was raised in the Houses of Parliament before things came to a head.
“One day we saw it all unfold from our balcony and we ended up being threatened,” she said.
“They put sticky tape all over the gate entrance and another night one of them spent the night ringing our bell.
“We did get support from the people from the airport and the council and now we have signs up from them politely asking people to ‘think before they park’.
“They have put double yellow lines around and parking permit places, but the problem will have just moved on.
“It’s still happening in Wythenshawe, despite all the efforts.”
Meanwhile, on Kingsgate Road householders are thrilled that the council installed bollards to stop it being used as a cut through and for airport parking.
‘IT GOT NASTY’
Anita King, 61, who has lived on the street for 30 years, said: “We used to get the dodgy parking companies, but also families turning up with their suitcases and calling a cab.
“It’s not been so bad recently since the bollards went up.
“They aren’t coming any more and getting their cases out and dumping their cars for a week or two.
“The road blocks have made the street a lot quieter.”
Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director at Manchester Airport, insisted it was taking rogue meet and greet firms “very seriously” and urged travellers to do their research before handing over their keys.
Insp Andrew Baker, from Cheshire Police, added: “When booking airport car parks people often go for the cheapest option – but sometimes this isn’t the best choice.
“Here in Cheshire, we have received a number of complaints from residents in relation to rogue parking companies which are operating near Manchester Airport.
“I would urge anyone who is going on holiday and looking to book a parking slot, to do their research, choose a reputable company and always book through an official website and don’t just go for the cheapest option, otherwise your car may be touring the UK while you are travelling the world.”
And Councillor Leigh-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods at Manchester City Council, said: “
“I’m glad to see that Manchester Airports Group are putting in place measures to alleviate this during one of the busiest periods of the year.”
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