Disabled parking information at Teesside Park slammed

The Northern Echo reported this week how disabled pensioner Harry Carse had been given a £100 fine for overstaying the four-hour time limit by 18 minutes (including a 10-minute grace period).

Signs for blue badge holders around the Retail South car park - the complex’s main car park, home to the likes of Next, M&S, and Primark - state there are “no concessions for disabled/blue badge holders" and that they must adhere to the four-hour time limit.

Drivers are unable to return within two hours and must adhere to the rules or face a £100 fine, reduced to £60 if paid within two weeks. 

However, Teesside Park confirmed that it can co-ordinate allowances for blue badge holders if they report to the customer services team on the day they visit - and that there is “no time limit for blue badge holders”.

Blue badge holder signs (Image: UGC)

Harry, who was unaware of the centre’s rules online, has since branded the situation as "scandalous"  - highlighting how signs do not state this important information. 

Regarding the misleading signs, the 75-year-old said: “It’s ridiculous. It should be on the signs as well so people know because people will just look at the signs.

“I didn’t even know there was a place to do it. I think it is totally unfair for a company to do that. It should be on signs that if you have a blue badge you can go to a centre at Teesside Park and register yourself.”

The normal four-hour signs (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

The Northern Echo has contacted Teesside Park for comment regarding signs at the site but is yet to receive a response.

As previously reported, a spokesperson for Minster Baywatch said Harry's charge was "correctly issued" and said this decision has been reviewed and agreed by an impartial appeals service.

The restrictions - which were brought in last December - only cover the Retail South section of the complex, with unrestricted parking available near the other retail and leisure units. 

Harry Carse (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

However, parking here would mean an almost half-mile walk for the retired couple.  

Recommended reading:

• Disabled man's fury over £100 Teesside Park parking fine
• Stockton LIVE: One in hospital after incident at railway station
• Plans to convert Frenchgate Hotel And Restaurant into house

Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Get access for 3 months for just £3. Click here.

A full statement from Minster Baywatch said: "Teesside Park has a clearly signposted time limit of four hours for all users of this car park, and our services are engaged to ensure this is adhered to.

"The Parking Charge was correctly issued and has been reviewed by POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals Service) who are completely impartial and agreed with the decision confirming the legitimacy of the PCN.

"We are aware there are other non-time restricted options for Blue Badge holders on the site, however, it appears, unfortunately, this was not adopted by the user on this occasion."