Airport fuel stop defends fining drivers who pick up passengers on forecourt
News
company that runs the petrol station at East Midlands Airport at the centre of a parking storm has explained its position amid growing controversy over large fines.
People have expressed their anger after receiving hefty £100 parking charges from The Fuel Station.
The petrol station says those issued with fines had used its forecourt to pick up passengers from the airport, which is prohibited.
Some motorists hit by fines have vented their fury, arguing they had gone into the shop to buy items as well.
The Prax Group, which owns the petrol station, has since released a statement responding to the criticism.
The company said the behaviour of some motorists was having a “negative impact on the business”.
It also states that motorists either picking up or dropping off airport passengers at the petrol station is causing a “serious health and safety concern”.
The statement reads: “East Midlands Airport management has introduced red routes and recently increased the price to park in the Rapid Drop-Off point to £3 for 10 minutes, in order to improve the flow of traffic around the airport estate.
“In order to avoid paying to park, some passengers and taxi companies are using the airport filling station, located approximately 100 yards from the terminal, as a pick up and drop off point. Increasingly, this is having a negative impact on the business, which can no longer be ignored. Additionally, there is a serious health and safety concern, as the backlog of traffic on to the main road could potentially hinder the emergency services.
“For these reasons, the airport filling station has sought the help of Vehicle Control Services – an agency who are responsible for monitoring and responding to parking abuses across the whole airport – to introduce a management scheme to restrict parking at the forecourt to genuine customers only.
“Using CCTV, Vehicle Control Services monitors vehicles using the forecourt at any time.
“Signs are clearly positioned and displayed around the entire forecourt, including on every single pump, informing motorists that if they stop to pick up or drop off a passenger, irrespective of whether they subsequently use the filling station’s facilities, they will be liable to receive a £100 fine served upon the offending vehicle.” The Derby Telegraph Vehicle Control Services has also asked the company how many drivers have received fines since the restrictions were introduced but were told “we have no further information to share with you.”
Last week, Chellaston community centre worker Gordon Jackson hit out after he was fined for picking up a friend up while going in the shop to buy a newspaper despite initially waiting at one of the short-stay car parks at the airport.
He said: “My gripe is I did not just use the petrol station for the purpose of picking someone up, I also used it to make a purchase. I intended to pick him up from the short stay car park – that’s why I parked and paid there. But it just so happened we missed each other [his flight arrived earlier].”
And yesterday, Tajdar Kamal, 30, from Normanton said he was left upset after being done for a similar offence. He said: “I think it is being used as a money-making scheme. I think they should close the petrol station.”
East Midlands Airport said anyTHE one picking up or dropping off should 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 approached Vehicle Control Services for a comment.
We have no further information to share with you.