Friday, 29 Mar 2024

Driver fined £100 for meeting friend at petrol station

A motorist is livid after being ordered to pay a parking fine for meeting his friend at a petrol station near an airport.

Gordon Jackson, 58, stopped at one of the petrol pumps at The Fuel Station near East Midlands Airport and went in to buy a newspaper while his friend put his belongings in the car.

He did not buy fuel but feels aggrieved that he has been charged £100.

Signs at the petrol station, yards away from the arrivals exit, were put up in June telling people they could not pick up passengers there.

Mr Jackson had parked in the short stay car park but his friend had arrived earlier than expected so told him he was waiting at the petrol station.

So Mr Jackson paid £4 for the 20-minute stay and went to meet him.

He said he parked at one of the pumps because there was not enough space but received a fine two weeks later and is refusing to pay.

He said: ‘It has left me upset and stressed. My gripe is I did not just use the petrol station for the purpose of picking someone up, I also used it to make a purchase.

‘I intended to pick him up from the short stay car park – that’s why I parked and paid there. But it just so happened we missed each other.

‘I know it was only a newspaper but it should not matter how big or small the item was I paid for. I’ve gone in there as a paying customer and then two weeks later lo and behold I’ve got a fine.

‘East Midlands Airport is out to take advantage of motorists who are dropping off or picking up passengers.

‘Talking to these people (the parking company) is absolutely impossible – they just don’t want to talk to you and the letters they send are threatening.’

Ruth Pickering, 52, was fined for meeting her daughter at the same petrol station despite filling her car with fuel.

A spokesman for the airport said: ‘All drivers dropping off and collecting passengers at EMA should use the designated car parks and drop-off facilities.

‘One hour’s free parking can be had in Long Stay 2, which is ideal for drivers who have to wait longer for their passengers, ten minutes parking in rapid drop off costs £3, while 30 minutes in short stay 1 car park is £4.’

Mr Jackson added: ‘My warning to people going to the airport is to be extra careful. There are cameras everywhere.

‘I feel these parking companies are forcing people to pay money at the airport and there is nothing you can do.’

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