Taxi Driver Online

Taxi driver is given a parking fine while delivering emergency bloods to hospital

A taxi driver has been hit with a parking fine while delivering emergency bloods to a hospital – and his appeal has been rejected.

Gary, who didn’t want his surname published, works part-time for a taxi firm which regularly works with the North West Ambulance Service to help deliver bloods and x-rays to the Manchester Royal Infirmary.

He attended the MRI department on April 8 to deliver bloods, but minutes later he returned to his taxi to find a fixed penalty notice on his windscreen – despite a sign on his dashboard saying who he works for and why he was there.

Gary, from Liverpool, said: ‘The taxi firm I work for has a contract with the NHS so we can help deliver bloods, x-rays, respond to 111 calls and also take patients to dialysis meetings.

‘I got a call to take some emergency transplant bloods from the pathology lab at Whiston Hospital in Prescott to MRI.

‘I parked in an ambulance bay next to an ambulance, put the sign in the window and went into the hospital.

‘I dropped the bloods off and must have been there for about ten minutes before I came back to see a sticker on my screen from ParkingEye.’

Gary approached a ParkingEye worker, who told him he’d parked in a blue badge spot and his sign wasn’t visible.

However his ticket stated he’d parked in a designated ’emergency area’, and his sign would be visible in his window if they checked CCTV.

Gary appealed the fine but it was rejected on Tuesday. He was told he had 14 days to pay £35 before the cost rose to £70, so his wife paid the fine on Wednesday.

He added: ‘I’ve never had anything like this before, I’m delivering blood, I’m working.

‘We’ve got people’s records and bloods, I don’t think we should be parking in pay and display spaces to transport them, especially when it’s an emergency.’

ParkingEye said Gary parked in a ‘no parking zone’, which included patient transport drivers.

A spokesman for the company said: ‘ParkingEye has partnered with Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust for five years to significantly improve how its car parks operate.

‘During this time there has been investment in modern consumer-facing systems which has enhanced accessibility and made parking at the hospital easier and safer for staff, patients and visitors.

‘The system is designed to ensure the efficiency and smooth operation of the hospital by ensuring that patients, visitors and staff park in their allocated car parks.

‘There is clear signage throughout giving patients and visitors guidance on how to park responsibly during their visit to the hospital.

‘The motorist received a parking charge notice after he parked in area that is reserved for ambulances only.

‘The prominent signage clearly states that it is a no parking zone with no parking or waiting at any time, including blue badge holders and patient transport drivers.

‘ParkingEye operates a British Parking Association audited appeals process, which motorists can use to appeal their parking charge. If anyone has mitigating circumstances then we would encourage them to appeal.’

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IDFIMH

I would just add the fine to the account.

I wouldn't be pi**ing around with the parking firm.

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IDFIMH

had he told them to take him to court maybe they would have backed down rather than risk losing an expensive court case.

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Maybe he's been hard done by, or maybe he's one of those types who think because he's doing a particular kind of work then that entitles him to park absolutely anywhere. But without knowing the precise rules and signage etc, it's difficult to tell

There are ways to deal with these scammers. Appeal to so-called parking appeals service, which does cost the firms, and then just wait.

Never pay is the advice given by the experts on Peepipoo and Money Saving Expert. But never ignore.

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IDFIMH