A man living in High Barnet has welcomed the ‘wonderful’ news a parking fine he received while helping out a neighbour has been cancelled.
One of many to fall foul of the rules at Barnet Hospital’s car park, managed by ParkingEye, Steve Hart, of Wentworth Road, was issued with a £100 parking charge notice (PCN) last Friday (September 30).
The 50-year-old father of three received the notice for “misusing” his neighbour Leonard Davies’ blue disabled parking badge to park for free outside A&E when he drove Mr Davies to the hospital in a medical emergency.
ParkingEye informed Mr Hart he was using the pass incorrectly as it was registered to Mr Davies’ car and not his own, a rule Mr Hart was unaware of when rushing to find a space during the emergency on September 23.
There are signs all around the parking area detailing the disabled pass rules, but Mr Hart said the situation was unique and Mr Davies could not have spare the time to find a different parking space.
Mr Hart, a househusband, said: “Leonard is 86 years old and a lovely, characterful man. I do what I can to help him and his wife Audrey out because I am based at home most of the time.
“When Leonard’s tongue wouldn’t stop bleeding, there was a panic and Audrey asked me to take him to A&E, quickly handing me the disable pass as we left.
“I understand there are rules but in this situation I believed it was unfair to expect Leonard, an elderly man in the midst of an emergency, and myself, who has never used a disabled pass, to understand the intricacies of ParkingEye’s rules.
“I think what has happened here is wonderful and would like to thank ParkingEye for their understanding as I start to appeal.”
On contacting ParkingEye, the Times Series was told if Mr Hart submits the details of his situation and a copy of Mr Davies’ pass through the formal appeal process, his ticket will be cancelled.
An unnamed spokesperson said: “We encourage people who have received a parking charge to appeal if they think there are mitigating circumstances, and instructions about how to do this are detailed on all communications and on our website.
“We have not yet received an appeal from Mr Hart, but would encourage him to do so and provide a copy of the Blue Badge he used at Barnet Hospital.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel