Driver’s anger over 15-minute park fine
Car app to find the nearest charging station and followed the navigation to a car park where there was a station.
Paul presumed this car park was part of the hospital but it actually belongs to the Pallion Health Centre.
After he parked up, the station wouldn’t connect so he rang Charge Your Car and after around 15 minutes of trying, he left the car park.
Following this issue, Paul received a penalty charge notice from Parking Eye for a minimum of £60 if paid within a certain time period.
Paul and his wife Sam Blakey, 40, have appealed and contacted numerous organisations including Parking Eye, POPLA and NHS services but have since received a letter detailing a County Court Claim.
Sadly, Paul’s dad didn’t recover from the stroke.
Paul said: “We’re under a lot of distress at the moment after what happened to my dad and this isn’t helping.
“It is just disgraceful. They have not been very compassionate at all.”
He had paid for £10 for a weekly ticket for Parking Eye for Sunderland Royal Hospital so his wife believes the fine is unfair.
Sam said: “We have never not paid for parking. I’d understand if we’d illegally parked. We haven’t got a lot of money because it is just after Christmas and we’re hoping that someone will help us at this difficult time.”
Parking Eye has confirmed that the NHS team is looking into the matter separately.
A ParkingEye spokesperson said: “The Pallion Health Centre car park is entirely separate from the hospital car park.
“It has very different needs and access for staff and patients to each building needs to properly managed.
“Each car park has different entrances and exits and is well signposted throughout.”