Abandoned car removed from station
A CAR was left abandoned in a disabled parking space outside Newcastle Central Station for almost two months.
The Red Nissan Micra was taking up a much-needed space meant for passengers who needed easy access, said Newcastle resident Camilla Fox.
The car was parked on December 5 but was not moved by officials until late January.
Camilla said: “I often saw the car when I was passing by the station.
“Once I was parked next to it and saw loads of police around it having a look. It was supposed to be moved but has remained in a much-needed disabled bay.
“My mum is disabled and I know how much these bays are needed by train passengers.
“When I have spoken to staff at the Central Station they just say people are complaining about it.
“There is a note on the car saying someone was seen boarding a train but never came back for the car.
“It’s not just using a disabled bay – who was the driver? Why didn’t he come back? Was he a terrorist?”
The car park is operated by Virgin Trains.
A notice placed on the window of the car said it had been abandoned.
It said: “It has been noted this vehicle was parked at 0.720hrs on the morning of Tuesday, 5th December, 2017.
“The sole occupier was seen to enter the station and depart on the 08.25 to London Kings Cross.
“The vehicle is parked in a disabled parking bay with no disabled pass, no parking ticket was purchased for the vehicle, and subsequent checks with the British Transport Police showed the vehicle to be untaxed, no MOT, and uninsured, we therefore believe this vehicle to be abandoned. “We hereby serve notice that if this vehicle is not removed within seven days of the date above, we will exercise our right to have the vehicle removed and disposed of.”
The date the note was put on the car was not seen but it is thought the seven-day deadline passed by a considerable amount without any action being taken.
The Chronicle took pictures of the car on January 26 when we asked Virgin Trains for a comment. The car was later removed. A spokesperson for Virgin Trains said: “The abandoned car has been removed and we apologise to any customers inconvenienced by this.”
Who was the driver? Why didn’t he come back? Was he a terrorist? Resident Camilla Fox