Driver’s warning after ‘appalling’ parking fine

A HOSPITAL worker has issued a warning to drivers after being slapped with a £100 parking fine.

Claire Dunn was left furious this month after being issued a fine for parking in a Coulby Newham car park on Dalby Way.

The 51-year-old was told to cough up the cash by Parking Group, which monitors the car park, after “not parking in a marked bay” on February 24 – but she argues the bays are too tight for her Range Rover Evoque.

The Acklam resident parked on a kerb outside the Pets at Home entrance to grab some bits for her 15-year-old Chinese Crested pooch Ramsay, who she recently found out is battling several tumors. However, Parking Group argued the car was “obstructing pedestrians and vehicles” and disputed the claim that her vehicle was too large to park in a marked space.

Claire said: “I decided to go out and get a few sachets and parked outside the shop. I have a Range Rover Evoque and I couldn’t have gotten into any of those spaces – they are tiny and a lot of the cars were already over the white lines. It’s impossible.”

Parking Group managing director Phil Hilton cited photographic evidence when responding to the claims, saying a large Mercedes Sprinter van was parked in a space “causing no issues”. He argued this was “considerably larger” than the Range Rover Evoque.

Claire admitted there were one or two spaces she “could’ve squeezed into” but felt it was too tight for her car, so opted to park on the kerb while she popped in for her 11-minute shop. The James Cook University Hospital worker also claimed several vehicles at the time were parked on or over the white lines, making the parking situation trickier.

She also argued the signs aren’t clear enough and that motorists can’t read them while driving into the site. However, Mr Hilton said the signage is “very clear” and that the car park was recently audited and “passed with full green lights”.

Claire appealed the fine – which would be reduced to £60 if paid within two weeks – but was unsuccessful. “I think it’s appalling,” she argued. “How many people go to the shop just to pop in? If I’d known there would be a £100 fine I would not have left my car, I’m not that silly. I would rather get deliveries to my home.”

Mr Hilton said: “Parking at this location is monitored by Parking Group Limited, and CCTV is used to control this land. Parking Group was instructed to commence parking management at this location due to concerning parking issues, which has gone on for years.

“The signage is very clear, from entering the land to parking and exiting your vehicle. Terms and conditions signage is largely above the British Parking Association code of practice requirements.

“The vehicle in question parked near the entry/exit to the car park, partly on the pavement and access road, causing obstruction to pedestrians and vehicles entering and exiting the car park. The photographic evidence also shows a large Mercedes Sprinter van parked within a marked bay, causing no issues, and vehicles of a similar size to the contravening vehicle parked at the same time with no issues. The vehicle was parked directly next to a large terms and conditions sign when parking on the pavement, which would have been very clear when parking and leaving the vehicle.”