When Francesca Roberts took her mother-in-law on a shopping trip they were dismayed to find the disabled bays were all full. With grandmother-of-six Maureen needing a walker to get around the normal bays were too small to allow her to get out and manoeuvre it safely.
So Francesca decided the best alternative was to park over a white line which marked off a spare piece of land at the side of a normal space. But the decision almost proved very costly after they were issued a £100 penalty notice for breaking the parking regulations.
An appeal against the decision was initially rejected, reports Teesside Live. However after being contacted by the newspaper the family was given the good news that the ticket would be cancelled.
The family told of the fine after failing to get it overturned. They told how Maureen, 89, a retired nurse who is registered disabled and unable to walk or stand unaided, was taken by Francesca, to use vouchers at Marks and Spencer at Teesside Park in March.
However when they arrived at the Stockton-on-Tees retail park, they found the disabled spaces were all full. But needing the extra space they chose to park at the end of a row.
This had some extra space on one side but which did not affect into another bay. They parked over the white markings to make sure the pensioner could get out easily.
It was only weeks later they were sent a £100 penalty through the post.
The Roberts family thought “common sense” would prevail when they explained the situation. However Minster Baywatch, the parking operator, rejected the appeal.
Maureen’s son Dave, 60, said: “I thought once we appeal and explain the situation and that it wasn’t possible to park anywhere else, that would be the end of it. Anywhere else is too far for her to walk or the space they needed could have been taken up by another car.
“But they rejected the appeal. It’s just heartless. For some reason they just don’t seem to be able to use any level of common sense when these appeals come through.”
He added: “I understand the car park needs a level of management but this just completely lacks compassion. There are not enough disabled spaces there and when they find an alternative that doesn’t impact anyone else this is what happens.”
Speaking before the fine was cancelled Maureen said: “It’s just disgusting. I can’t get out of the car and make it to the front or the boot without the walker. My daughter-in-law did go over the line but nothing could park there.”
The grandmother of six added: “It has really truly upset me. I’m thinking about it all of the time. It’s getting to the point where I don’t really want to ask anyone to take me.
“It’s not just about me but other people with disabilities that this will affect. They should give that little bit of leeway. I’m very disappointed in them.”
The penalty was initially set at £100 but would be cut to £60 if settled within a fortnight. The Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) review said the vehicle was parked outside of a marked bay, breaching site regulations.
It has now been confirmed the PCN was cancelled due to the “specific circumstances and minimal impact to other shoppers”. Speaking following the decision Dave said: “We’ve not heard anything from either but if the ticket is cancelled, I’m so pleased for Mum that common sense has finally been allowed to happen as she’s been so upset by it.
“It’s just disgusting that these parking companies are allowed to be judge and jury when their modus operandi is to generate revenue by issuing tickets. Anyone with an ounce of sense would have seen in the appeal letter that this was a genuine case of an almost 90-year-old who is significantly disabled and in need of assistance, yet Minster Baywatch were heartless by viewing this as an opportunity to make money.
“If this is how less-abled shoppers are being treated, I’d call on Teesside Park to review their relationship with this parking company immediately.”
Teesside Park has 66 disabled parking spaces in its main retail car park. If all these spaces are filled by Blue Badge holders, it’s advised that shoppers with a Blue Badge inform the customer services team (located in the Hello building) about their parking situation so that arrangements can be made to prevent any fines.
Teesside Live has contacted Teesside Park and Minster Baywatch for their comments.
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