Queen's Hospital Parking Fine - Disabled

bobbstar21

Received a fine/invoice for not displaying badge at queens hospital romford.

We've been going to the hospital quite a bit and on this ocassion the badge wasn't displayed but it usually is - it's been a very stressful few months with the medical issues and simply forgot to display the badge.

I could appeal to the hospital but what can I realistically say?

It's from Gemini parking solutions.

Coupon-mad

Just complain to PALS that you feel threatened and discriminated against and want their help to get Gemini to cancel this PCN.

fisherjim

Blue badges are not actually applicable to private car parks you are actually helping the PPC they ask you to display it to make their job easier, but of course their actual business model ignores this in their greed.

bobbstar21

I complained to PALS a week ago but they have not responded (they are usually quite quick).

I also received another one for obstructing a kerb - the signage they attached as evidence is nowhere near where I was parking though, I can't even make out where the sign actually is and I've been to the hospital so many times now.

And... another one. Quite late night as well... at this point my wife had just given birth and she held the blue badge as we weren't sure who was picking her up, so the enforcement officers (late at night) within 5 mins of parking must have issued the parking invoice

Coupon-mad

All very unfair but you need to avoid taking any chances on private land. Especially that hospital.

Be more careful and read signs first is my advice and you don't leave your car in a disabled space if you don't have the Blue Badge in the car, immediately displayed.

Obviously no paying!

bobbstar21

That's fair but with the signage one, I have looked around at the signs and have not seen the one they took a pic of. It's clearly not in the immediate area.

What are my next steps here?

Coupon-mad

Nothing different that the standard advice already in the NEWBIES thread, which saves us repeating it on a hundred new threads per day.

Your PALS complaint is in.  PLAN A.

Appeal is plan B, as per the sticky thread.

bobbstar21

Thanks coupon-mad, apologies for making you repeat that.

Can I just get some further advice - I looked at the newbies thread and not sure what to do as my first ticket was issued on 15/09 so it's well over 28/35 days now to make an appeal, can I still appeal or should I wait?

With regards to the other two. Obstructing the kerb - surely all parking signage should be together? They've got signs for different parking conditions e.g. one saying show blue badge and then one saying don't obstruct. I think one would reasonably assume all parking conditions are together in one sign or at least wherever they do show parking conditions, it's all there (even if in multiple signs). I found the sign they took a picture of and it was like two "roads" away, nowhere near the parking area whereas they do have the show disabled badge nearby.

For the missing badge, is there no sort of grace period of 10 mins where I can quickly collect the badge? Even councils allow this.

Would appreciate any help, my wife is going through disastrous health issues and it's hard to think/research (really not trying to be lazy).

I'll submit a complaint for the 2 parking tickets anyways to the hospital but suspect they will ignore.

Fruitcake

Try to appeal anyway; separate appeals for each PCN.
If the website won't let you, then send the appeals by post. They can all go in one envelope but make sure you send it first class from a Post Office counter and make sure you get the very important free proof of posting.

Remind PALS they haven't responded to your complaint(s) and contact the head of the hospital trust and your MP as well.
Point out the hospital's failure to comply with the strict requirements of the Equality Act 2010 with regard to disabled persons and breastfeeding mothers who have protected characteristics as defined by the Act.

bobbstar21

Interestingly I appealed using the template in the newbies thread and added a copy of the blue badge and the parking company cancelled the first ticket themselves.

I haven't appealed for the other two yet but disappointed that the hospital made no response (was told I'd get a response this week and that they are understaffed).

Coupon-mad

Great news! The template appeal plus Blue Badge worked again!