Patients of a Heysham medical centre have enlisted the help of Morecambe's MP after being fined when using a controversial new parking system.
Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, has been contacted by several residents after they received Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) from using the Heysham Primary Care Centre car park.
Ms Collinge said the fines were only issued due to an error in a new parking system at the medical centre.
A spokesperson for the MP told us they were "having a battle" to get the parking company to issue refunds, that many of the patients who have contacted Ms Collinge were elderly and vulnerable, and there may be more who have also been fined by mistake.
An ANPR (Automated Number Plate Recognition) system was installed at the car park in April, so motorists have to enter their car registration number at kiosks at the medical centre before parking.
But NHS Property Services said there have been "technical issues" with the new system.
And there have been several complaints from people who said they'd entered their details correctly, but still received a £60 fine.
Motorists' comments on the Facebook page of Bay Medical Group, who own Heysham Primary Care Centre, included: "I parked my car, put my reg in and STILL received a parking ticket through the post on Friday! Clearly a fault with the system."
Another said: "I got a fine recently having correctly put my registration details in. I called the number on front of the letter and a lovely guy explained there were issues at this particular site so told me to appeal my fine (which I have done) and told me not to worry as it will get sorted."
And another said: "I got a fine and put my registration number in. I’ve appealed."
In a statement shared on the Bay Medical Group page on July 16, NHS Property Services (NHSPS) said:
"We are aware that some patients and visitors may have experienced issues with the parking system (ANPR) at Heysham Primary Care Centre, and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience or concern this may have caused.
"We can confirm that Parking Charge Notices (PCNs) that have been identified as affected since the system went live are being cancelled.
"For anyone who has received a PCN:
"If your PCN relates to this issue, it will be cancelled where appropriate.
"You do not need to take any further action.
"We understand how important it is that patients can access services without added worry, and we are working to ensure a fair and appropriate resolution for everyone affected."
But speaking this week, Ms Collinge said: "This morning my team have spoken to (car park operators) NPC (National Parking Control) about the parking fines at Heysham Health Centre.
"Despite assurances by NHS Property Services that all parking fines would be cancelled, and paid fines refunded, NPC are now refusing to refund these fines which were only issued due to an error in their own system.
Lizzi Collinge
"These fines were paid in good faith by my constituents and they deserve a full refund.
"I will be holding both NPC and NHSPS to account to ensure that these fines are refunded.
"I am also seeking confirmation that all unpaid fines will be cancelled as I have been told previously.
"I will keep you all updated on this issue once a solution has been agreed."
Beyond Radio contacted NHSPS and NPC for comment.
“We are sorry there have been technical issues with the new parking management system," said an NHSPS spokesperson.
"When a visitor has wrongly been issued a PCN, we expect NPC to issue a refund.
"The new system has delivered improvements for patients, visitors and staff by increasing the availability of parking spaces and reducing the misuse of the car park by non-authorised users, ensuring that parking remains available for those accessing healthcare services.”
An NPC spokesperson said they had no comment to make.
Bay Medical Group, in a post on June 7, said the system was in place "simply to help keep parking spaces available for patients using the centre".
They said parking remains free for all patients, visitors and staff when visiting the building, for two hours from entry of numberplate details.
"All patients on every visit, must enter their vehicle registration at the kiosks in the building," said the post.
"Vehicles not registered will receive a parking charge notice by the ANPR company, so please remember to sign in.
"Thank you for helping us keep spaces available for everyone who needs them."
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