Disabled driver is fined after parking up for emergency
MAN PULLED OVER IN CAR PARK AFTER BLOOD SUGAR DROPPED
A DIABETIC man who pulled over in Fraisthorpe beach car park when he felt his blood sugar levels plummeting to dangerous levels has been threatened with court action and bailiffs after getting a parking fine.
Kevin Roberts, who is registered disabled and wears callipers on both legs as a result of nerve damage due to his diabetes, said he was unable to get out of the car to pay the parking charges when he pulled in to the car park at Fraisthorpe, in March.
He said: “It was lockdown, so I didn’t think there would be charges. I couldn’t have got out of my car as I was alone and need help with my wheelchair, and the ground was so uneven that I couldn’t have walked to the machine if I wanted to.”
Kevin, who had been driving back from a hospital appointment at Hull Royal Infirmary, said he felt sweaty and faint and knew it signalled that his blood sugar had dropped to a perilously low level and it wouldn’t be safe to carry on driving.
He said he had to eat a Mars bar and have a sugary drink and then wait half an hour until they were restored to safe levels before carrying on with his drive home to Bridlington.
Kevin, 56, who cannot work and is on disability and incapacity benefit because of his health problems, said he thought nothing more of it, until he received a letter from Excel Parking Services demanding £100 payment.
Kevin said: “It was apparently the second time they’d contacted me, but I didn’t get the so-called ‘first’ letter.”
He appealed straight away, lodging a complaint with the Independent Appeals Service (IAS), which has confirmed it is looking into his case.
But despite this, in the meantime he has received another letter stating payment had now increased to £160 and threatening legal action and bailiffs if he fails to pay the charges.
Kevin added: “It’s really stressing me out, getting these letters and threatening court proceedings.
“You can’t get anybody on the phone when you call this company, they don’t want to know, just as long as they get their money.
“I don’t have much money to spare. I’m on incapacity, and all my money goes on bills. I am willing to go to court over this, I am not paying it. They should be paying me for stressing me out.”
The beach and parking firm has been criticised by several beach-goers on review sites Trip Advisor and Beach Guide, after a string of complaints from others saying they had been fined, and claiming the beach was now “ruined” by the heavy-handed parking enforcement.
A representative for Excel Parking Services said: “There is numerous signage at the Fraisthorpe Beach car park which make it clear that it is a “Pay” car park and we have supplied a picture of the entrance signage for inclusion in the article.
“At the time of Mr Roberts’ visit, there were two large entrance signs, 45 information boards and two large tariff boards in place at the car park and as such we are surprised that he claims he did not see any signage.
“We did respond to Mr Roberts’ appeal on May 5, 2021 which included details of how he could have his case adjudicated by the Independent Appeals Service (the IAS) which, by his own admission, he has sought to do so.
“In conclusion, we are satisfied that the parking charge was issued and processed correctly.”