A family was left “reeling” after receiving a £100 parking fine for parking over a white line to accommodate their disabled grandmother’s walker at a retail park.
Maureen Roberts – who is registered disabled and unable to walk or stand unaided – was going shopping with her daughter-in-law Francesca to Teesside Park in Stockton-on-Tees.
The family was shocked when they later received the penalty notice in the post after the family visited the retail park to use up their vouchers at Marks and Spencer on March 6, TeessideLive reported.
Upon arrival, they discovered all disabled parking spaces were occupied and, because they required extra room for the pensioner’s walker, they parked at the end of a row where there was additional space on one side.
The family went shopping at Teesside Park in Stockton-on-Tees
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In doing so, they deliberately positioned the car over the white line to ensure the 89-year-old could safely exit the vehicle with her mobility aid.
The family believed their solution was reasonable as it did not impede any other parking spaces, yet they received the £100 penalty charge through the post a few weeks later.
The Roberts family appealed the fine, believing “common sense” would prevail.
However, parking operator Minster Baywatch rejected their appeal despite the circumstances, arguing that the vehicle was parked outside of a marked bay which breached site regulations.
The fine was cancelled after the parking company eventually acknowledged the “specific circumstances and minimal impact to other shoppers” as grounds for cancellation.
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Dave Roberts, 60, described the fine and initial appeal decision as “heartless” and lacking compassion.
He said: “I thought once we appeal and explain the situation and that it wasn’t possible to park anywhere else, that would be the end of it.
“But they rejected the appeal. It’s just heartless. For some reason they just don’t seem to be able to use any level of common sense.”
Meanwhile, Maureen was “really upset” by the incident, repeatedly offering to pay the fine herself.
The pensioner, a retired nurse and grandmother of six, was deeply distressed by the “disgusting” situation, explaining that she is unable to get out of the car and walk without her walker.
The Roberts family appealed the fine, believing “common sense” would prevail (Stock)
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She added: “It has really truly upset me. I’m thinking about it all of the time.”
“It’s not just about me but other people with disabilities that this will affect. They should give that little bit of leeway.”
After learning the fine had been cancelled, Dave Roberts expressed relief for his mother saying that he was “so pleased” for his mother that “common sense has finally been allowed to happen as she’s been so upset by it”.
He added: “It’s just disgusting that these parking companies are allowed to be judge and jury when their modus operandi is to generate revenue by issuing tickets.”
GB News has approached Minster Baywatch for comment.
