Author Topic: Horizon Parking Ltd - Disabled man's family forces parking firm to scrap penalty  (Read 1585 times)

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Disabled man's family forces parking firm to scrap penalty ticket after campaign

 A CAMPAIGN by the family of a severely disabled man has forced a parking company to revoke a fine it slapped on them during a Christmas shopping trip.

Cheltenham-based firm Horizon Parking admitted it had acted in error when it tried to hand out the £75 penalty.

Alex Ratnaike – who proudly carried the 2012 Paralympics Torch in Wirral on behalf of Claire House Hospice - suffers from spastic quadraplegic cerebral palsy, epilepsy and is blind.

He cannot walk or talk.

The brave 21-year-old from Little Neston was taken by his carers to buy a festive T-shirt at Bromborough Retail Park.

The three arrived in a specially-adapted Viano mini-bus belonging to Alex’s father Dr Nimal Raitnaki. The eight-seater is fitted with a ramp to allow wheelchair access.

It was left in a bay marked “mini-bus parking,” Alex's blue badge was clearly displayed, and the tax disc stated it was a “disabled-class” vehicle.

But an Horizon parking attendant refused to believe the car had been adapted and told them they were breaking the rules.

An AA officer on patrol at the time joined in the discussion and explained to the attendant the vehicle was legitimately parked as it had been altered for Alex’s needs.

But it made no difference and the fine was handed out.

Alex’s mum Debi was incensed and came to the Globe for help.

And after we contacted the firm, the ticket was torn up.

Debi said: "It's good news the fine has been revoked, but the way we were treated was appalling.

“It was meant to be a special day out for Alex to get his Christmas T-shirt and this lot have wrecked it for him.

“I am utterly devastated by the treatment my son and his carers received."

In a statement, Horizon Parking said: "On reviewing the parking charge notice we've made an error in issuing in this instance and will be cancelling the charge immediately.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused and will be taking the necessary steps to avoid this happening again in future."

Unimpressed, Debi said: "That’s all very well but this issue has to be addressed properly before it happens again to somebody else."

Alex’s brother Oscar was crowned Young Hero of the Year at the Wirral Globe’s Golden Awards in 2012 for standing by him.



http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/11645363.Disabled_man_s_family_forces_parking_firm_to_scrap_penalty_ticket_after_campaign/?ref=twtrec

 


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