Disabled driver fined for non accessible parking machine

Rjwood86

As a disabled person if I come across problems in life I just find ways to overcome them but there's always one problem you have to fight your way to get heard and sadly on 21st August 2017 I experienced just this when faced with a dilemma as I accessed the Blue Ice Plaza Car Park 1 off Hobbs Moat road in Solihull. I have always used this carpark that's been free for disabled up until it was taken over 3 minutes after I used it the week before by Premier Park LTD.


When going to pay for my ticket for the very first time I encounter two huge problems. As I have a wheelchair there was step access to all three ticket booths. There was a ramp access to two machines however you cannot get a wheelchair to the front of the machines and no ramp to the third machine which is located around the back of the venue which many people are unaware of. The second problem is my disability means I'm only 3ft tall so the height for entering the reg number was impossible. I was with my little sister but due to her age she cannot use the machine by herself. I contacted the ice rink straight away but they could not help as they now don't own the carpark. I asked that they at least make disabled aware of the charges for them now and a sign would also be appropriate as the only reason many normal bay people were aware were from machine changes which disabled didn't ever need to use beforehand. They are yet to put a sign post up warning disabled its now charging.


I was originally charged £100 then £60 if paid in so many days.


Around a week after I appealed they had moved machine PO62 to a flat surface but not changed the height.


I sent in an appeal with proof of disability, height and access and was appalled that on 14th September I received an email response rejecting it on the grounds that no record of payment could be found for the vehicle registration. However they stated as a good will gesture a reduction in price to £30.


If car parks are charging for disabled bays they should at least have a fully accessible ticket machine on site or a payment option for users. Attached is pictures of proof and the rejected appeal email I received.


I'm writing this to warn others who have faced or will face this situation in the future and not to be bullied into paying fines/invoices


Please feel free to go to my Facebook username xxbeckybabesxx and share the post as pictures are attached to it

Quentin

If you intend contesting this PCN then it would be a good idea to keep all your options open to edit your OP to remove details of who was driving (assuming you have not already revealed who was driving when appealing)

Half_way

Unfortunately you are not alone, there has recently been a case with a profoundly deaf person being unable to access a car parks pay facility's as it was by phone (voice) only.
I hope you have not paid the parking company a single penny

This reads as o say you have been fobbed off - in other words potentially lied to to get rid of you

I contacted the ice rink straight away but they could not help as they now don't own the carpark.

What has probably happened is the ice rink, or the land owner has bought in an outside so called car park management company to look after the car park where the parking company acts as its agents.
This means that the land owner, which could be the ice rink is jointly and severally liable for the actions of its agents , so if there has been any discrimination, then by all means go for the principal ( the landowner)

Coupon-mad

Rjwood86 wrote: »

As a disabled person if I come across problems in life I just find ways to overcome them but there's always one problem you have to fight your way to get heard and sadly on 21st August 2017 I experienced just this when faced with a dilemma as I accessed the Blue Ice Plaza Car Park 1 off Hobbs Moat road in Solihull. I have always used this carpark that's been free for disabled up until it was taken over 3 minutes after I used it the week before by Premier Park LTD.


When going to pay for my ticket for the very first time I encounter two huge problems. As I have a wheelchair there was step access to all three ticket booths. There was a ramp access to two machines however you cannot get a wheelchair to the front of the machines and no ramp to the third machine which is located around the back of the venue which many people are unaware of. The second problem is my disability means I'm only 3ft tall so the height for entering the reg number was impossible. I was with my little sister but due to her age she cannot use the machine by herself. I contacted the ice rink straight away but they could not help as they now don't own the carpark. I asked that they at least make disabled aware of the charges for them now and a sign would also be appropriate as the only reason many normal bay people were aware were from machine changes which disabled didn't ever need to use beforehand. They are yet to put a sign post up warning disabled its now charging.


I was originally charged £100 then £60 if paid in so many days.


Around a week after I appealed they had moved machine PO62 to a flat surface but not changed the height.


I sent in an appeal with proof of disability, height and access and was appalled that on 14th September I received an email response rejecting it on the grounds that no record of payment could be found for the vehicle registration. However they stated as a good will gesture a reduction in price to £30.


If car parks are charging for disabled bays they should at least have a fully accessible ticket machine on site or a payment option for users. Attached is pictures of proof and the rejected appeal email I received.


I'm writing this to warn others who have faced or will face this situation in the future and not to be bullied into paying fines/invoices

Isn't this the one Tony Taylor is *helping* with? If so, I question who has actually posted this thread and am not convinced this is posted to 'warn others'. We won't be sharing Facebook publicity connected to that man.

The poster called softwaremad will know what I am talking about. We won't be posting stuff about the Equality Act 2010 for someone else to copy, for their own ends.

I wish the victim of the case luck and am certain she wouldn't lose in court, as long as her case is handled properly.

softwaremad

Couponmad this is the case I told you about yesterday.

And this is the original poster. Lovely lady with s horrendous discrimination case to be had.


Good luck with the press Becky x

Coupon-mad

OK, totally see that it's horrendous discrimination, but if Tony Taylor is all over it, I am not.

Rjwood86

Then I suggest you don't comment or read. Yes I'm Becky the one who's in the situation

I was told to post in here to raise more awareness however there's always someone to pass on negativity and state it's not to benefit anyone. Thank you to others who have commented though

Picture are attached to Facebook as my phone won't let me do it here

Quentin

Your comments are unnecessary


No-one has shown you negativity.


You have been told why the forum specialist doesn't intend getting involved, that's all. (You look to have your own advisor anyway), and why no-one here would want to assist your facebook campaign


As above, good luck to the victim

rachity

Imho, anything which raises awareness to the antics of many parking management co's is good.

Every respect to C-m's comments & opinion, though. (Even though I don't know the backstory).