Nurse's Parking Charge Revoked After Media Intervention
A community nurse's £100 parking fine, issued while attending a patient, was ultimately canceled following an inquiry by a consumer finance publication.
A community nurse has had a £100 parking charge cancelled after media intervention. The nurse had been issued the fine by UK Car Park Management Ltd. for parking in a resident's car park while attending to a patient receiving palliative care at their home in Cambridge.
The nurse stated they spent just over an hour at the patient's flat and did not notice any parking restrictions at the time. Eleven days later, a parking charge notice for £100, with a reduced rate of £60 if paid within 14 days, was received. An initial appeal was rejected.
The nurse explained that due to the nature of their work, they often need to park in residential areas to be close to patients and their vehicles, which contain essential medical equipment. The alternative would have been to park on a busy road and carry equipment a considerable distance.
Research indicates that private parking operators issued approximately 14.4 million parking charges in the UK in 2024-25, more than double the number from six years prior. In July, the Competition and Markets Authority announced measures to address consumer complaints regarding unclear signage, malfunctioning ticket machines, and faulty apps associated with private parking.
UK Car Park Management initially stated that the charge was issued correctly according to the site's terms and conditions. They noted that 24-hour visitor permits are available but require visitors to obtain them from reception. The company also indicated that the nurse's appeal lacked evidence of their healthcare worker status.
Following contact from the publication and the submission of supporting evidence during the independent appeals process, UK Car Park Management reviewed the case. The company acknowledged the sensitive circumstances and requested to withdraw from the appeal, arranging for the charge to be cancelled. They also stated they are reviewing communication regarding the visitor permit scheme to ensure easier access for healthcare staff and other visitors.