Fine issued to widower on day wife died is cancelled

A parking fine issued to a widower on the day his wife died has been torn up.

The Courier reported on Monday the story of Donald MacLeod, who found a penalty notice on his car in April after leaving Ninewells Hospital, having just watched his wife pass away following an illness.

Mr MacLeod, who had been married for 37 years, said he was devastated after debt collector letters started being delivered to his home, “hounding” him for payment.

Now, Indigo, the company responsible for running the private car park at the Dundee hospital, has said it will cancel Mr MacLeod’s fine.

A spokesperson for Indigo said: “All customers have a chance to appeal a parking charge notice up to 28 days after it has been issued.

“Customers are able to get in touch with us online or in writing if they wish to appeal a parking charge notice and the process is outlined on their ticket and the website.”

Mr MacLeod contacted The Courier after reading about Scottish Ambulance Service driver Robin Yule.

The employee was fined £100 after parking an ambulance pool car at the hospital while carrying out his duties – organising transport for a terminally ill patient.

Mr Yule said he felt so threatened by the letters sent to his home he was forced to pay the full £100 fine, which was subsequently reimbursed by the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Indigo reported gross profits on the Ninewells car park of more than £1 million in the last financial year, a rise of 9.7% on the previous year.

The cost of parking at Ninewells increased from £2.20 to £2.30 at the end of 2017.