Now second driver fined for picking up friend at airport fuel station
I’ve come forward because I feel sorry for those that have got done and I want to warn others
A SECOND Derby man has come forward saying he was been left angry after being fined for parking and collecting his friend at the petrol station next to East Midlands Airport.
Pizza shop worker Tajdar Kamal says he has been left so annoyed that he will no longer pick up his friends from the airport after he received the £100 bill a fortnight ago.
Mr Kamal, who lives in Normanton, said he was picking up a friend who was returning to the UK from Barcelona.
The 30-year-old said his friend called him moments before he was set to park at one of the short-stay car parks to say he would meet him at the petrol station, as he needed to buy some cigarettes.
News of Mr Kamal’s parking anger comes just days after fellow Derby man Gordon Jackson said he received a £100 fine for parking at the station - despite initially parking at the short stay car park.
Other people including a couple have also come forward expressing their anger over the situation.
East Midlands Airport says picking up or dropping off people at The Fuel Station, just yards away from the airport’s arrivals exit, is strongly prohibited and several signs stating this have been up since June.
But Mr Kamal said he saw no signs on arrival to the petrol station and parked next to the fuel bays for a few minutes as he waited for his friend to come back from the shop.
“I think it is really bad,” he said. “£100 is a lot of money, especially for people like me on a low income. I know it gets reduced to £60 if you pay within certain time but that is still a lot of money.
“I think it is being used as a money-making scheme and targeting many people. I’ve come forward because I feel sorry for those that have got done and I want to warn others, especially new drivers.
“A petrol station is for stopping at and buying petrol and other items.”
Father-of-two Mr Kamal said just days ago another friend of his wanted picking up from but he refused because he felt so angry about the way he had been treated.
As policy East Midlands Airport does not comment on individual cases but stressed those picking up or dropping off friends and family must use the car parks provided.
A spokesman said: “All drivers dropping off and collecting passengers at EMA should use the designated car parks and drop-off facilities.
“One hour’s free parking can be had in Long Stay 2, which is ideal for drivers who have to wait longer for their passengers, 10 minutes parking in rapid drop off costs £3, while 30 minutes in short stay 1 car park is £4.”
The Derby Telegraph has contacted Vehicle Control Services Limited for a comment.
Last week we reported how Ruth Pickering was fined for picking up her daughter at the same time she was filling up with petrol.
The fuming mum said: “It is just disgusting. It is a money-making scheme.”