Man at hospital with pregnant wife gets parking ticket despite paying

A man who had been at a hospital supporting his pregnant wife was hit with three parking notices despite paying at a machine.

Saheeb Inayat kept hold of his receipts for the days he parked at the hospital after a woman told him she kept receiving fines.

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire in Walsgrave, Coventry, claims Mr Inayat parked in car park spaces designated for BMI Healthcare.

However, the hospital has since waived the fines as a “gesture of goodwill.”

Mr Inayat told Coventry Live: “A few months ago whilst I was paying for parking a lady behind me told me to keep hold of the receipt as she constantly received fines from ‘Car Parking Management’ who is the company charged with managing the car parks, even though she pays for parking after each visit.

“No one wants to attend a hospital for no good reason, my wife was pregnant so I was happy to attend and be by her side, and no one wants to pay for extortionate parking, but when they do they should not be fined a £100 where payment has been made.” 

A spokesman for University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust said: “BMI Healthcare operates next to University Hospital and the motorist received a parking charge notice after parking in the car park reserved for its patients and visitors.

“There is clear and highly visible signage throughout advising that the car park is for BMI Healthcare patients and visitors only and that they should enter their vehicle registration into a terminal at reception to receive free parking.

“Despite the motorist not parking in the correct area, we have cancelled the charge on this occasion as a gesture of goodwill.”