Driver slapped with £100 fine for pulling up at airport for 34 seconds
A driver who stopped his car on double-red lines for just 34 seconds at an airport has been slapped with a hefty £100 fine.
The driver, who does not want to be identified, pulled up so he could safely answer his phone but missed the call. He then quickly checked his directions to the short-stay parking zone at Bristol Airport, where he was collecting someone.
The driver says: "It was all confusing to me. My phone started ringing so I stopped to answer it. I missed the call, but took those few moments to try to read the signs on the road so I would know where to turn for short term parking. I had no intention to park, I just needed to stop for a few seconds.
He adds: "The signs which said it was illegal to stop were behind me. In my mind, I was not parking and I had no intention to park, I just stopped for those seconds."
According to time-stamped CCTV images on the penalty notice, seen by local newspaper Bristol Live, his vehicle was first seen stationary at 14:41:20 and remained there for 33 seconds before moving. It shows the car positioned just off the mini roundabout at the entrance to the airport site, out of the way of traffic, reports Bristol Live.
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He said he had to do two full loops of the area to find the turning to the short term parking, which he eventually found. He said his passenger was delayed in the baggage area and he ended up paying for a two-hour parking stay.
But the cameras had already caught his vehicle’s details when he stopped and a few weeks later he received a PCN (Parking Charge Notice) for £100. He appealed the fine two times, but this was rejected and he has since paid.
The rejection letter read: "The signs at the entrance to Bristol Airport and the access roads within clearly state ‘No Stopping’, giving clear notice that the land is private property and that a charge of £100 will be levied if vehicles do stop." It said that Andreas’ vehicle had stopped within an area where stopping was not permitted.
A spokesperson for Bristol Airport said: "All of the internal roadways at the Airport have experienced a longstanding issue with vehicles stopping in unsafe areas, particularly on pedestrian crossings. This poses a high risk to the safety of our customers, colleagues and business partners and causes delay and congestion to other road users.
"We conducted research with other airports around the UK and investigated the use of an external company providing us with an enforcement service. Signs across the site further underline the message to all customers. Drivers breaking the rules may face charges which will be enforced through a combination of fixed cameras and mobile patrols,” said the spokesperson. Bristol Airport has double red lines marked on all roads around the site.
"Facilities are available close to the terminal for vehicles picking up (Short Stay and Pick Up) and dropping off (Drop & Go) passengers, and a waiting zone offering free parking for up to 60 minutes is available. The free car park is located by the entrance to Silver Zone and is linked to the terminal by a frequent shuttle bus service."
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