Vehicles stranded in a mechanical stacked parking facility in central London are finally being released after over two years.

According to an email obtained by BBC London, CBRE, the management company for Rathbone Square, notified vehicle owners that three-hour time slots will be available for collections starting Thursday and lasting until May 23.

Mark Lucas and Steve Davies, co-owners of a small business, shared that their new Vauxhall Vivaro van has been contained within the complex near Oxford Street since December 2022, resulting in over £46,000 in losses.

CBRE did not provide details about the reasons behind the malfunction of the car park or whether owners could seek compensation for their financial setbacks.

A resident of the Rathbone Square development informed BBC London that as many as 40 vehicles may still be stuck. CBRE did not respond to requests for confirmation of this figure.

A stacked car park is a type of installation where vehicles are stored on multiple levels using mechanical lifts and platforms, optimizing the use of available space.

The email outlines a detailed “step-by-step guide to vehicle retrieval” and indicates that the “car stacker will remain closed to all vehicles to give owners the opportunity to reclaim their cars.”

Mr. Davies, who co-owns HCS Furniture in Buckinghamshire, expressed that while it has taken a long time to reach this point, he and his partner are “thrilled” to be collecting their van, though he has concerns about the condition of its battery.

“We will transport it with a low-loader to ensure it’s safe rather than risk driving it in its current state,” he stated.

“Our priority will be to take it to the Vauxhall dealership where we purchased it, so they can service it and perform a diagnostic check on the battery to see if it has been affected.”

Before making a final claim, Mr. Davies noted that the added costs associated with using the low-loader and servicing the van must be evaluated.

Lauren Kennedy, a mechanic from Finchley, mentioned that the owners may find their vehicles in various states of disrepair.

“It’s almost certain they’ll have dead batteries. They might also face flat or damaged tires and brakes that have seized up.”

Those with keyless entry systems might encounter difficulties accessing their cars if the batteries are depleted.

Ms. Kennedy indicated that vehicle owners may require recovery services to assist in transporting their cars back home.

Derek Millard-Smith, a lawyer specializing in parking regulations, pointed out that beyond direct financial losses, owners could also seek compensation for the inconvenience experienced and the “loss of enjoyment” of their vehicles.

“Quantifying that time is essential for any civil claim, as you’d need to outline what you believe your losses amount to,” he explained.

“The opposing party can argue against the magnitude of those losses if they wish to dispute the compensation.”

Double Parking Systems, which maintains but did not install the automated parking solution at Rathbone Square, confirmed last week to the BBC that the system has been functional since March 15.

Mr. Davies characterized the entire ordeal as “terrible,” particularly criticizing the inadequate communication from CBRE.

“If they had provided clearer updates about the situation, it wouldn’t have been so distressing,” he remarked.

BBC London has attempted to contact CBRE several times since early April, but the company would only verify that the car park system has been repaired.