Words are his weapons – dad slams ‘pettifogging bureaucracy’’

A Broughty Ferry father has struck a blow against the “pettifogging bureaucracy” of Ninewells Hospital car park operators.

When Chris Phin returned to his car after an emergency trip to the hospital with his sick daughter, he was dismayed to have a bad day made worse by being given a parking ticket.

Amid the stress of following behind an ambulance carrying his two-year-old daughter, he had not noticed the area he parked in near the children’s ward was for staff only.

Chris paid the £20 charge – but he also wrote a put-down of parking rules he says are “applied with an unbending zeal”.

He reminded the authorities they “are by definition dealing with people at a time of high stress” and should do more to help people avoid making innocent mistakes.

Chris, whose daughter has since recovered, wrote: “I suggest using fines such as mine to, at least, fund the erection of ‘Staff parking only’ signs at each parking bay.”

“Almost the last thing you want when returning to your car when one of your loved ones is unwell is to find some pettifogging bureaucrat has fined you for breaking not the spirit but the letter of the law.”

Indigo said the signs meet the regulations but will see if more can be erected.

A spokesman added: “We appreciate it was an honest mistake made under stressful circumstances, so on this occasion we will donate the payment Parking Charge Notice to a charity of Chris’ choice as a gesture of goodwill.”

A spokesman for NHS Tayside said: “We work closely with Indigo and have ongoing discussions about how to improve the service.”