A motorist has been locked in a three-year row over a £2.70 parking charge which could now cost him more than £250.
Gordon Clark, who resides in Medburn near Newcastle, has been greatly distressed by the incident. He adamantly refuses to pay a court letter amounting to £252, citing it as a matter of principle.
Retired Mr Clark and his wife Jennifer had visited QE hospital in Gateshead on August 12, 2022, to see a friend.
The couple, both married, used a parking space for their Renault Capture for one hour and 13 minutes between 6:09 pm and 7:22 pm. Mr. Clark attempted to pay, but the parking machine displayed a message stating, ‘No payment required’.
To his surprise, two weeks later, he received a fixed penalty notice charge of £40 from ParkingEye, the company responsible for managing the hospital’s car parks through number plate recognition technology.
‘I checked the registration with my wife and I inputted the number again and received the same message,’ the 71-year-old Mr Clark said.
‘We left the car park and returned home only to receive a parking charge notice through the post two weeks later.
‘I have disputed this with ParkingEye however their blind faith in the infallibility of their equipment has kept them pursuing me since, questioning my honesty and integrity.
Gordon Clark (pictured) has been locked in a three-year row over a £2.70 parking charge which could now cost him more than £250
The ‘absolutely incensed’ Mr Clark insists he will not pay the fine ‘as a matter of principle’
Retired Mr Clark and his wife Jennifer had visited QE hospital (pictured) in Gateshead on August 12, 2022, to see a friend
‘My wife and I are both retired and have always paid our dues.’
Mr Clark, who insists he was not asked to pay at the time, is willing to fight the matter in court if necessary.
He added: ‘I have asked ParkingEye to request an explanation from their equipment supplier as to how this has happened and also how many other motorists have experienced the same issue.
‘I have never received a response but have instead received many letters stating they maintain their position followed by threatening letters from a third-party debt collection agency and a court letter for over £250 for a less than £3 parking fee.
‘As far as we were concerned there was no charge. As a matter of principle, I do not want to pay it. I am absolutely incensed.’
Mr Clarke is currently undergoing chemotherapy, and his wife is recovering from major surgery.
‘The debt collection agency’s language is getting more and more threatening. We don’t believe we are alone, there will be other people us out there.
‘I think most people have caved in because they can’t be bothered with the hassle. This has caused me a lot of aggro. I am having chemotherapy at the minute and my wife is recovering from major surgery. It is something we don’t flaming need. It is so frustrating. I just wish I had taken a picture of the damn thing.’
The retired 71-year-old says the frustrating ordeal has ’caused me a lot of aggro’ at a time where he is undergoing chemotherapy
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust which runs the QE Hospital said ParkingEye is an independent contractor responsible for managing the parking arrangements on the site.
A spokesperson for Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust said: ‘While we do not have the full details of Mr Clark’s case and so cannot comment on his situation, we are sorry for any distress caused by this issue. ParkingEye is an independent contractor which manages the car parking payment and penalty notice system on our behalf.
‘If patients or visitors speak to us about parking issues, we will always try to assist, particularly where people have had problems with the payment system or exemptions. Although Gateshead Health is not involved in the operational management or the enforcement of ParkingEye’s policies, nor in the issuance of fines, we will offer advice and assistance where possible.’
MailOnline has approached Parking Eye and Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust for further comment.
