Civil Penalty Notice.........

[bunnykinz]

have been issued a civil penalty notice for parking on hospital grounds even though where I was parked there was no signs. Spaces opposite to where I was parked did have signs saying staff parking only. Those parking spaces were laid out in front of each other, ie so cars could park boot to bonnett whereas the spaces where I was parked were side to side. Have I been ticketed illegally?

Thanks in advance, bunny :)

[Catso]

Illegally? I would say not (but I'm not a lawyer!). Presumably it's private land (even if open to the public) so the hospital can make whatever parking regulations it pleases, and enforce them as it has done.

Perhaps the signage could be better, but as you admit there was a sign just opposite, I don't think you've much of a case. Your sole defence seems to be that the parking spaces were laid out differently - which doesn't sound very a convincing case to me.

[jaq1964]

I would contest it anyway, nothing ventured, nothing gained (so they say).

At our hospitals in Brighton your are very lucky to find a parking space at all. The A&E car park has been dug up.Disabled people are forced to park sometimes a mile away. There was a case not so long ago where a disabled man was refused to leave his car for a couple of minutes to drop off his sick 83 year old mother who had been sent to the hospital by her GP because she was having difficulty breathing. The guy had to leave her at the hospital entrance on her own and then had to park a mile away before walking back to meet up with her. The guy was disabled himself and held a blue badge!

The hospital says that they have more than the required number of disabled bays, but most are across a busy road away from the hospital, mostly on hills (try getting out of your car into a wheelchair!). It is possible to use the hospital car park (again, if you can find a space) but you are required to pay car park fees which seems very infair when you can park on disabled bays for free.

I myself are disabled and have terrible problems trying to find parking spaces. It annoys me so much that the hospital managers have reserved spaces though!

As a say, contest it, why should hospital management take preference over the patients? especially if the spaces aren't clearly marked.

Good luck!! and best wishes.

Jacqui