Dad ‘ninth’ to be ‘ripped-off’ at East Midlands Airport after getting two £100 fines in 2 hours for ‘getting petrol and asking for directions’

A DAD was slapped with two £100 fines in TWO HOURS after asking for directions and filling up petrol, it has been claimed.

The Sun Online has revealed how Ryan Smith, 33, has become the ninth person to claim to be ripped-off at East Midlands Airport.

His plight comes as it was reported that a pensioner was hit with a £100 fine after filling up his car at the petrol station.

Paul Hayes, from Ratby, was on his way back from a family meal when he was slapped with the controversial fine that has been dished out to numerous unlucky drivers this summer.

Mr Smith said he was unjustly fined by Vehicle Control Services Limited.

Mr Smith, who recently got custody of his sister’s six kids, said the two fines have set him back financially.

He told The Sun Online: “I recently got a custody of my sister’s six kids through the courts and these fines are ridiculous. £200 is a lot to pay.

“That is what a day out with all of them would cost me.”

Mr Smith, from Coventry, went to pick up his partner Katrina Shaylor, his son and niece from the EMA on July 22 when he said he stopped to ask one of the camera cars for directions as it was his first time there.

He said he then went to the one-hour free car park to pick up his family.

Afterwards he said he went to the petrol station to fill up and get a drink before taking his family on his way.

On July 26, Mr Smith was baffled when he received the two separate fines from his trip to EMA.

‘IT’S NOT FAIR’

EMA and the neighbouring BP petrol station have signs displayed warning how stopping and collecting passengers in “red-routed” areas, or undesignated parking areas, will result in fine.

The enforcement of no waiting, parking, drop-offs, pick-ups on the petrol station forecourt is an arrangement between Vehicle Control Services Limited and the owners of the petrol station.

Mr Smith tried to appeal the fines, but Vehicle Control Services Limited upheld their decision.

The private firm said after reviewing their footage, Mr Smith did not ask for directions and three people with suitcases got into his vehicle at the petrol station.

Mr Smith said: “If it was my fault then I wouldn’t even bother and I would pay the fine.

“But this can’t be fair? How can I get fined for not stopping my car in an area where my car has to be stopped.

“If I had parked and wandered off then I would have taken the fine. Imagine how many people don’t complain. To me its unreal.

“If I got out of the car and it was my own fault and then fair enough. Then I wouldn’t be complaining.

“I feel wronged and that’s why I’m speaking out.”

An East Midlands spokesperson said: “Controlling traffic flow on the roads throughout the airport is key to ensuring people’s safety and enjoyment of visiting East Midlands Airport.

“Vehicles waiting in undesignated parking areas when dropping off and collecting passengers not only causes congestion, but is dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians.

“Parking or waiting on roads across the airport estate is prohibited.

“This is clearly sign-posted and all roads are red-routed and enforced by a third party organisation.

“The same compliance company has a separate agreement in place with the petrol station owners.

“All drivers dropping off and collecting passengers at EMA should use the designated car parks and drop-off facilities.

“One hour’s free parking can be had in Long Stay 2, which is ideal for drivers collecting passengers, ten minutes parking in rapid drop off costs £3, while 30 minutes in short stay 1 car park is £4.”

Controlling traffic flow on the roads throughout the airport is key to ensuring people’s safety and enjoyment of visiting East Midlands Airport.

An East Midlands spokesperson

A representative for Vehicle Control Services Limited said: “We wish to make clear that the private access roads to East Midlands Airport and the area of private land occupied by the Fuel Station are covered by separate contractual arrangements.

“The introduction of enforcement measures was introduced as a result of the constant and growing abuse of the roadways/land which was causing unnecessary congestion as well as creating safety risks to road users, including emergency services, and pedestrians.

“Our CCTV footage clearly shows that Mr Smith’s vehicle had stopped on one of the no stopping roadways at East Midlands Airport; his vehicle was stationary at the start and throughout the CCTV surveillance.

“There is an abundance of (almost 250) high visibility signs at the entrance to, and at regular intervals throughout, the roadways warning drivers that “No Stopping” is permitted; these also contain the recognised “Clearway” symbol.

“Furthermore, the roadways are painted with double red lines. In stopping where he did, Mr Smith would have driven past more than 50 of the warning signs.

“There is no evidence to support Mr Smith’s allegations that he sought advise from one of our Patrol Officers and, in any event, our Patrol Officers would not advise motorists to stop in a “No Stopping” roadway.

“A short while after, Mr Smith was observed stopping his vehicle at the Fuel Station beyond the area occupied by the pumps, at which point 3 people carrying hand baggage approached the vehicle from the exit area of the Fuel Station and got into the vehicle.

“This area constitutes a “No Stopping” area, as stated on the warning signs in place around the Fuel Station forecourt.

“We are satisfied that the Parking Charges were correctly issued for breaching the advertised terms and conditions on the 2 distinct areas of private land.”

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