hhmm….. Ok i will play devils advocate here……..
This article says that she and her Mum rushed to the hospital but could only find a 3hour parking spot. Her labour took 17hours. She also says that her Mum intended to move the car but opted not to as she wanted to stay with her daughter.
Its disappointing that longer term parking isnt available and thats something that should be addressed but in this situation they were very aware that they were over staying the parking limit.

The article says that one month after having her baby she was FURIOUS to receive a fine in the post of parking over 3hours.
Why would that stun you and why would you be furious? The parking inspector does not have the ability to look at your car and know what the story is and why you have over stayed and their job is to issue parking fines for people that exceed the parking time limit. If you had been parked there for 17hours plus then surely you would have expected a fine in the post. I dont see that its something to be furious about.

Its very frustrating to phone and explain and ask if the fine can be waived and then to not get a response but just phone back and ask again and ask to speak to someone higher up the chain. Take a not of dates, times and the name of the person you speak to so that if you dont get a response you can follow up and actually name he person and what they said they would do for you.

This is appalling. Total revenue raising tactics from the local government.

I’m disgusted they didn’t listen. As if she had a chance to move the car! I think it would be worth her trying once more before paying, as I’ve heard once you pay a fine, there is no chance of them refunding it.

I can’t believe the council would be so insensitive to her plea and reason behind it. Hopefully they will respond and drop the charge.

I would have done the appeal in writing and kept a copy as proof that I had appealed, and asked the hospital for written details if necessary. If you do phone always record the date, time and name of the person you spoke to. Some places record calls “for training purposes” (not saying that isn’t correct but it is always the phrase used). I don’t know how long they keep the recordings for.

I can’t believe the Council will not waive this fine with the explanation provided. I imagine the hospital could provide proof to in support of her plea.

Not nice. Maybe the City Council will still answer to her request. It would be very weird if they didn’t!!

I had both my kids at the same hospital. There is street parking for free if you don’t mind walking a little or if your really urgent get someone to drop you in emergency and then find a park. That being said Ipswich council are not very nice at all and don’t have a lenient bone in them. I’m not surprised they won’t budge. It is pretty wrong though.

For goodness sake, I had a fine when I was in labour, went to the right resources and had it revoked. Isn’t that hard, sometimes I think these articles are just for attention!

All hospitals have parking at a premium, both staff and patients and visitors all want close parking and as more and more people use the facility the last thing to be updated is the parking facilities. There are many situations where the patient just can’t be dumped at the front door while the driver goes off to find a parking spot – pregnancy is one, so too leaving a dementia patient.

I had a similar situation. FIL had terminal lung cancer that got into his brain. After radiotherapy he wasn’t doing well and was recommended to be admitted to hospital. Told not to go through emergency so try parking in the 10 minute pick up/drop off. … of course its full. So park at the front of the area where it is safe but not technically a park.

Run inside to get a wheelchair and take him and MIL to admissions. Leave them there and leave – all up about 10 mins max
2 weeks later get a fine. Fortunately the council was understanding and reversed the fine once I had explained

To be fair, when the ticket was put on her car, the inspector didn’t know she was in the hospital giving birth. I do think the fine should be waived though after the circumstances are explained

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  • • mom93821 replied
    • 01 Feb 2019 , 6:31 am

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  I have had fines withdrawn after putting in applications.

There should be more flexibility for the waiving of fines in these sort of situations.

Considering the situation,the fine should be dismissed!

There should always be a form to complete to have a fine waived in this situation.

Hospital parking is so expensive and I think it’s important there is plenty of parking spaces.

I know the parking places need money to pay for the maintenance of the parking structures. It is just so dear to park near most of the hospital. If someone is there for a while and no one to move the car, it can be a very dear park. Some hospitals will not let you leave until it is paid due to those machines.

I think hospitals should do away with paid parking people are there for their health

Our hospital carpark was always very full, they have since made extra parks which now makes it easier

While I don’t agree with her essentially being fined for having a baby, I do understand that there are restrictions put in place for a reason, and in defense of the council and parking inspector, how did they know that she had gone into labour? Now that they know the fine should be reversed, but you just need to be careful when parking I guess!