A TAXI driver who was dropping off a mother and her two children at the shops found himself with a £70 fine.
Keith White, a driver for Town Cars on King Street, Wrexham, had pulled into the multi-storey car park at Eagles Meadow, operated by VINCI Park Services, to allow his passengers to get out of the vehicle.
He claims the mother was taking her pram from the boot, when a parking warden began photographing his vehicle.
Minutes later he was issued with a £70 fine by VINCI Park Services for causing an obstruction.
Mr White, 65, of Abenbury, admits he was parked outside of a bay, but said he was not causing an obstruction.
He says he and colleagues are now too scared to drop off at the shopping centre for fear of another ticket.
He said: “I was literally there for two minutes doing the drop-off. I wasn’t in anybody’s way.
“The mother was so upset that she offered to pay half of the fine.
“None of us taxi drivers want to drop off there again in case we get another fine.
“Our only option now is to drop people off by the Wynnstay pub and let them walk over the bridge, but what if they’re a mother with children or a disabled person in a wheelchair? I think it’s disgusting.”
Mr White wrote to Milton Keynes-based VINCI Park Services to appeal the fine given to him on February 12, and his fine has now been reduced to £40.
In a letter to Mr White, VINCI Park Services said: “When parking on private land the onus rests with the motorist to accept and to comply with the landowner’s terms and conditions.
“The signs displayed around the car park where your vehicle was parked clearly set out the terms and conditions, and the consequence of non-compliance.
“You chose to park your vehicle at the Eagles Meadow car park and park your vehicle causing obstruction.
“Your reasons for appeal and explanation of why you were parked in this area is not a valid reason for the cancellation of this notice.”
A spokesman for Eagles Meadow said “We are aware of this matter and will discuss it with Vinci Park who operate the car park.”