Blue badge holder receives multiple parking fines in Burgess Hill

Anne Jones, who is in her 80s, is a regular visitor to the Market Place car park in Burgess Hill.

However, Anne, from Haywards Heath, has recently fallen victim to a new parking system managed by Bank Park, receiving two parking fines despite registering on digital displays.

Anne said: “Many residents from the surrounding villages have said they no longer shop in Burgess Hill and drive to Haywards Heath to shop, plus of course Waitrose has free parking.

“The process of registering your car details is so confusing and as I have a severely damaged spine, bending down to take the photograph is extremely difficult, as your hand shakes at the same time, not only for me but for many disabled residents.”

READ MORE: Brighton and Hove Council releases parking fine data

The new system requires users to register their blue badge to their parking registration to receive free parking, rather than simply displaying it on the dashboard.

The Market Place car park (Image: Google)

After visiting in March and displaying her blue badge, Anne was hit with a £100 fine, leading her to take more care on a second visit in June and ensure she registered on the new system.

Anne was forced to seek assistance from members of the public as she was struggling to use the system on the second visit.

Believing to have registered, Anne continued with her shopping, only to be shocked a few weeks later when she received a second fine through the post.

The digital display blue badge holders must use to get free parking (Image: Anne Jones)

After The Argus requested a statement from Bank Park, the outstanding fine was revoked.

A spokesman for Bank Park said: “We are sorry to hear that Mrs Jones had difficulty in utilising the kiosk which has resulted in a penalty charge notice (PCN) being issued.

“We have, however, on this occasion, approved the PCN and added the vehicle registration to the system to ensure that no further PCN’ are issued.

“We appreciate that some visitors may find new technology complicated. Because of this, we do offer an enquiries email address and telephone number within the signage located in the car park, so that customers can report any problems or difficulties that they may be facing.”