Couple receive parking ticket in Hastings despite displaying blue badge

Michael and Barbara Luck visited the surgery on March 3 to see a doctor at the clinical assessment service after Barbara was diagnosed with cervical cancer back in October 2019.

Michael said his wife was granted a blue parking badge after six weeks of radiotherapy, which ended on Christmas Eve, left her with mobility problems.

On March 3, the couple arrived at the Station Practice, found a disabled parking bay and displayed the badge appropriately before visiting the doctor.

However, in the weeks that followed, Michael received a parking fine from ParkingEye - the company employed to run the car park - to the sum of £100.

When Michael attempted to challenge the fine, he was told that blue badge holders must register their full vehicle registration at the terminal within the medical centre to be able to park for free. If they fail to do this, the maximum stay is 15 minutes.

Michael said: "The signage there is poor and when entering the car park there are a number of designated disabled bays and most 'blue badge' holders would think that you would be allowed to park there according to 'blue badge' guidelines.

"To only allow 15 minutes (quick and easy access) is ridiculous. It took that long to get her out the car due to the extreme pain she was under and then get her into the building and up to the third floor took another 15 mins or more."

Michael said nobody at the centre told him he needed to register his vehicle registration.

He added: "In the original paperwork I received about the appointment there was nothing to indicate that you have to register with the surgery that you were parking in a designated disabled bay.

"To say you are only allowed 15 mins is ridiculous. I definitely think many other people will be caught by this thinking that its a normal disabled bay as at main hospitals and some surgeries whereby if you display your badge correctly in a designated bay then it's legally parked."

Michael said ParkingEye has since lowered his fine to £20 'as a gesture of goodwill' which he has now paid.

However, he said the incident has made him and his wife think twice about visiting the Station Practice in the future.

A ParkingEye spokesperson said: “This car park has a 15 min max stay to allow visitors of the college and medical centre to be dropped off. Its primary purpose is to allow quick and easy access for staff and patients in an emergency situation and must be kept clear at all times to allow regular ambulance access.

“Blue Badge holders are able to use the site however they need to register their full, correct vehicle registration at the terminal within the medical centre in order to obtain free parking.

“On this occasion the motorist did not do this and was therefore issued with a PCN.”