Crime Solicitors

A disabled woman who was unable to buy a parking ticket at Shoreham Airport in Sussex because the nearest machine was out of order is fighting a parking fine of £60.

Local publisher the Argus reports that Blue Badge holder Denise Blunt, 68, from Seaford visited Shoreham Airport in May with her 94-year-old friend and parked in a disabled bay.
However, the nearest parking ticket machine was out-of-order and no staff were available to help the pair, who both have mobility problems.

When they returned, Mrs Blunt found she had been issued with a £60 notice for failing to display a ticket in the £1-an-hour airport car park.

Mrs Blunt said that when she appealed the parking fine, she was told a reduced early payment rate of £30 would be applied if her appeal were rejected.

However, the company which issued the parking fine – Ethical Parking Management – rejected her appeal and also allegedly failed to honour the £30 early payment rate.

Mrs Blunt has been asked to pay the full amount of the fine – £60 – or debt collectors may be called in to collect it. However, Mrs Blunt says that she is not “giving in”.

“I've no problem paying for parking – but it's unfair to expect people to pay when the machines are not working,” she said.

“The one right next to the disabled bays was out-of-order – we couldn't see another one nearby or any staff to ask.
“We struggle to walk far, so weren't going to start hunting around the car park,” she added.

“This is discrimination against disabled people.
“They are called Ethical Parking Management but this doesn't sound very ethical to me,” she added. “I'm not paying for it.”

Ethical Parking Management – based in Worthing – did not respond when contacted by The Argus.

However, Brighton City Airport Ltd said that they take disabled parking “seriously” – and are considering free parking for Blue Badge holders.

A spokeswoman said Brighton City Airport Ltd was “carefully considering” all aspects of the incident – and is currently in talks with Ethical Parking Management.

“We take our responsibilities around parking for the disabled seriously – and we try to maximise the opportunity for everyone to visit the airport with equality,” said the spokeswoman.

“We provide easy access parking bays for the disabled – and facilities at the airport have been improved for the disabled in terms of ramps, electric doors and disabled toilets.

“We also have to balance these measures with effective car parking control for the benefit of all through Ethical Parking Management, due to past experiences and issues with parking at the airport.

“We charge just £1 for one hour for parking at the airport – which we feel offers good value for visitors.

“We hope to make a further announcement soon with regard to the possibility of free parking for Blue Badge holders in designated bays at the airport.”

Duncan Lewis Motoring Offence Solicitors

Duncan Lewis motoring offence solicitors are available 24/7, 365 days a year to advise at any stage of a charge involving motoring and driving offences – and Duncan Lewis can also advise on appealing a parking fine.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and a motoring law solicitor can usually reach a client at a police station for interview under caution within an hour.

For expert legal advice on motoring and driving offences – including appealing a parking fine – call Duncan Lewis motoring offence solicitors on 020 7923 4020.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Emergency Hotline on 020 7275 2036.