Patients left in tears by ‘heartless’ parking fines at Whittington Hospital

Published: 25th March, 2011
by PETER GRUNER

DISABLED motorists are being reduced to tears because of “extremely confusing” signs outside the main entrance to Whittington Hospital, it was claimed this week.

They accuse Islington Council wardens of “heartlessly lining up” to issue £60 penalty fines even though the signs restricting parking in Magdala Avenue, Archway, are too small to see and “don’t make sense”. 

Instead of saying “no parking”, the signs outside the hospital confusingly state “no loading”, which is normally associated with high street shopping.

Now Highgate resident Nicola Pizzey, a retired nursery nurse, has launched a complaint against the council after receiving a parking ticket when she drove a disabled friend to the hospital. “I was appall­ed,” she said. “It wasn’t just me who was getting a ticket. There were half a dozen other disabled people or their drivers being targeted.

“I saw people in tears. They come to the hospital for all sorts of reasons, but sadly many of them receive bad news about their health.

“So what are we doing in 2011, making life for disabled people that much worse and unbearable? It’s heartless and it’s got to stop.”

The Tribune first received complaints about parking outside the hospital after changes were introduced in July last year.  The article sparked more complaints from furious motorists who contacted our website.

Until last year anyone with a blue disabled badge had been able to park outside the hospital on double yellow lines for an unlimited period.

Then new “no loading” restrictions im­posed from 7am to 9am and 4pm to 6pm Monday to Friday were imposed. 

It means that many disabled people with an early or late appointment have difficulty finding a convenient parking space close to the hospital.

Ms Pizzey said that the signs are just not clear. “First, the signs are very small,” she added. “Disabled people and their drivers can easily miss these signs in the rush to find a space and meet an appointment.

“Second, they don’t say ‘no parking’, they say ‘no loading’ between certain times. Loading? Isn’t that what they do outside shops? It’s just not clear.”

Labour environment chief Councillor Paul Smith said: “We are on the residents’ side and we want our parking enforcement to be fair.

“In rush hour, parking enforcement extends to blue badge holders because we have to keep Magdala Avenue clear for two bus routes and for essential hospital vehicles.

“The signage that explains this is fully compliant with Department of Transport requirements and most blue badge holders understand the restrictions very well.

“But we are sympathetic to personal circumstances. This is a hospital after all, and if anyone thinks they should not have been ticketed, they should let us know.”