'˜Bureaucracy gone mad?' Doctor's car gets parking fine in hospital car park

Roger Bolding confronted the Crawley Borough Council officer as prepared to ticket the vehicle at Crawley Hospital on Saturday (April 23).

He said: “I attended an appointment at the Crawley Hospital Planned Treatment Centre. On my way out I noticed a Crawley Borough Council enforcement officer taking photos of a doctor’s car and about to issue a parking penalty ticket. I said to him that I cannot believe that he is issuing a ticket to a clearly marked emergency vehicle.

“His response was that it has a pass but not to park in this location. I pointed out that this was hardly a problem as the car park was virtually empty, to which the response was that they know where they have to park and he has three minutes to move the car. I said that I would locate the doctor to warn him but as the ground floor reception was unmanned I needed to return to the reception on the fourth floor.

“I was thanked but told this happens repeated and when representations are made to CBC to the ticket is cancelled. What a waste of everyone’s time. When there is adequate space, what is wrong with medical response vehicles with permits parking close to the entrance? The Enforcement Officer would be better employed in the town centre ensuring badly parked vehicles are not obstructing pedestrians and vehicle flow instead of trying to make money.

“By the time I had returned to the car park, the ticket had been applied and the officer had moved on, checking the other cars for permits.”

The council has been approached for comment.

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