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A motorist is locked up in a three -year row over a parking costs of £ 2.70 that could now cost him more than £ 250.
Gordon Clark, from Medburn near Newcastle, is driven by the test 'Mad', but insists that he will not “pay a £ 252 court letter” as a principle. “
Retired Mr. Clark and his wife Jennifer had visited the QE Hospital in Gateshead on 12 August 2022 to see a friend.
The couple occupied a parking space with their Renault Capture for one hour and 13 minutes between 6.09 pm and 19.22 hours, but Mr. Clark said when he tried to pay a message on the parking machine: “No payment required.”
To the large shock of the former construction consultant, he received a fixed fine two weeks later for £ 40 from Parkingeye, the company that manages the hospital's parking garages using license plate recognition technology.
“I checked the registration with my wife and I re-introduced the number and received the same message,” said the 71-year-old Lord Clark.
'We left the parking lot and only returned home to receive a message for parking costs during the post two weeks later.
'I have disputed this with Parkingeye, but their blind trust in the infallibility of their equipment has since followed them in question, questioned my honesty and integrity.
Gordon Clark (photo) is locked up in a three -year row over a parking costs of £ 2.70 that could now cost him more than £ 250
The 'absolutely furious' Mr. Clark insists that he will not pay the fine 'as a matter of principle'
Retired Mr. Clark and his wife Jennifer had visited the Qe Hospital (photo) on 12 August 2022 to see a friend
“My wife and I are both retired and have always paid our contribution.”
Mr. Clark, who insists that he was not asked to pay at the time, is willing to combat the case before the court if necessary.
He added: 'I asked Parkingeye to request a statement from their equipment supplier about how this happened and also how many other motorists have experienced the same problem.
'I never received a response, but instead received many letters stating that they retain their position, followed by threatening letters from a third -party collection agency and a judicial letter for more than £ 250 for a parking costs of less than £ 3.
“As far as we are concerned, there was no charge. As a matter of principle I don't want to pay for it. I am absolutely furious. '
Mr. Clarke is currently undergoing chemotherapy and his wife is recovering from a major operation.
'The language of the collection agency is always threatening. We do not believe that we are alone, there will be other people who are there.
'I think most people have collapsed because they cannot suffer from the hassle. This caused me a lot of AGGRO. I currently have chemotherapy and my wife is recovering from a major operation. It is something we don't need. It is so frustrating. I wish I had taken a picture of the damn thing. '
The retired 71-year-old says that the frustrating test 'has caused me a lot of aggro' at a time that he undergoes chemotherapy
Gateeshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the QE Hospital, said that Parkingeye is an independent contractor who is responsible for managing the parking arrangements on the site.
A spokesperson for Gateeshead Health NHS Foundation Trust said: 'Although we do not have the full details of Mr Clark's case and therefore cannot comment on his situation, we regret any need caused by this issue. Parkingeye is an independent contractor who manages the parking payment and the fine Kennis system on our behalf.
'If patients or visitors talk to us about parking problems, we will always try to help, especially when people have had problems with the payment system or the exemptions. Although Gateeshead Health is not involved in operational management or the enforcement of the policy of Parkingeye, nor in the issue of fines, we will offer advice and help where possible. '
MailOnline has approached Parking Eye and Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust for further comments.
