Minster Baywatch, Meadowhall, Gladstone Solicitors LBC

Taptap

Hello all and thank you in advance. 

I’ve just received a LBC from Gladstones. 

On 2/1/2025 at Meadowhall a huge part of the car park (I needed to use) was taken up by the Christmas Fairground. 

I had a disabled passenger and displayed the blue badge. However, the only available space closest the entrance was a child/parent space as all disabled spaces were taken. I parked in the child/parent space as they are next to the disabled.

This is what the ticket is for.
Do I have any sound argument against this fine due to the lack of space at this particular entrance and the lack of spaces due to the fair? 

TIA. 

Coupon-mad

Yes yes and more yes. You have a good case.

If there are normally more accessible bays and they were out of action then both Meadowhall and the parking firm have a legal duty to provide at least the same level of accessibility and to make 'reasonable adjustments' to accommodate people like you (they have NO such duty to provide special bays for parents).

I seem to recall a thread about this a few months ago and a whole area of disabled bays were blocked off, is that right?

Car1980

Yes, an identical thread appeared 2 or 3 weeks ago if you search.

CaudyBoy

Hello,

I am currently going through a very similar situation with Meadowhall/ Gladstone.

The entire top car park (boots & the main entrance where Omega is located) was closed off due to snow. I parked underneath in a parent child space with my blue badge displayed. Came back to a ticket.

I have just disputed the claim with Gladstone - sighting the equality act, amongst other things. They have rejected this.

I am going into Meadowhall today to try and speak to management directly. If not I will be writing to them tomorrow.

Happy to help you if I can.

Taptap

@Coupon-mad @CaudyBoy - thank you both. 

@CaudyBoy have you been to see MH management as yet? Yes thank you - I would be interested to hear what they said. 

I will wait to hear from you before I dispute the debt (siting the details from @Coupon-mad) via the online form that Gladstones have requested I do. 

Thanks again guys. 

CaudyBoy

Yes, I’ve now spoken with Meadowhall management in person and I’m pleased to say the issue was resolved within two hours.

I explained the situation — including the difficulties caused by the closure of an entire car park — and showed them a photo of their own signage at the entrance. The sign merely “advises” against parking in parent-and-child bays, which carries no actual enforcement weight. I also made it clear that I was prepared to submit an N20 witness request to have a Meadowhall representative appear in court to explain the lack of Blue Badge parking during adverse weather conditions.

To their credit, the gentleman I spoke with was excellent. He kept me informed with two phone calls, and had it sorted quickly.

Just so you know - the management suite is now near the oasis.

Coupon-mad

CaudyBoy said:

Yes, I’ve now spoken with Meadowhall management in person and I’m pleased to say the issue was resolved within two hours.

I explained the situation — including the difficulties caused by the closure of an entire car park — and showed them a photo of their own signage at the entrance. The sign merely “advises” against parking in parent-and-child bays, which carries no actual enforcement weight. I also made it clear that I was prepared to submit an N20 witness request to have a Meadowhall representative appear in court to explain the lack of Blue Badge parking during adverse weather conditions.

To their credit, the gentleman I spoke with was excellent. He kept me informed with two phone calls, and had it sorted quickly.

Just so you know - the management suite is now near the oasis.

Please could you show that sign? Might help others including @Taptap

Is this MH retail park?

Taptap

@CaudyBoy brilliant news! I’m so pleased for you. Well done for persevering. 

I unfortunately didn’t take a photo of anything - do you think I may be graced with the same results?  

And please forgive my ignorance but what is a N20 please? 

Also are you be able to share the photograph that@Coupon-mad is referring to so that I may use it? If that’s allowed on here? Sorry if it isn’t. 

Thank you both so much I’ll keep you informed. 

Taptap

ps. @CaudyBoy I wonder if Gladstone’s got hold of your phone number like they did mine and sent me a passive-aggressive text message out of the blue? I’ve no idea how they got my number nor if that’s even legal for them to do? 

Coupon-mad

Taptap said:

ps. @CaudyBoy I wonder if Gladstone’s got hold of your phone number like they did mine and sent me a passive-aggressive text message out of the blue? I’ve no idea how they got my number nor if that’s even legal for them to do? 

Yep perfectly legal in debt collection.

They did a Credit Reference Agency soft trace to check your address and contact details held. Phone numbers often show on a soft trace, maybe connected to a bank account you have.

Taptap

@Coupon-mad thank you..