A DRIVER has vowed never to return to a major UK airport after he was hit with a £100 fine after making a “three-point turn”.
Glaswegian Ian Simpson jetted into Bristol earlier this year and was slapped with the fee on his way back to the airport.
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The driver – who had hired a car during his time in the city – said the motor’s satnav had told him to turn onto a street while looking for a bay to park in, BristolLive reported.
After spotting a no entry sign, he immediately turned back and tried to find the right way.
Ian was then shocked to discover a month later that he had been hit with the heavy fine.
He claimed that nobody told him what he should have done after encountering the sign – and has since appealed the decision.
“I was hit with the £100 fine for ‘stopping’ in a no-stopping zone. I admit that I shouldn’t have stopped but I needed to do a three-point turn, and no one has told me what else I could have done,” Ian said.
“It is frustrating that I was fined and worse that I was not given a clear answer on what I could have done to avoid it. I regard the fine as nothing but entrapment.
“I will never fly to Bristol Airport again, I will deliberately fly to and from an alternative airport, even if it is more expensive. I feel like the fines are extorting the public.
“I fail to understand what to do. The fine stung me.
“I believe that I haven’t done anything wrong.
“I did the three-point turn to avoid going in a no-entry area, the turn took 40 seconds.
“This is a poor showing from Bristol Airport.”
A spokesperson for Bristol Airport told BristolLive: “All of the internal roadways at the Airport have experienced a longstanding issue with vehicles stopping in unsafe areas.
“This poses a high risk to the safety of our customers, colleagues and business partners and causes delay and congestion to other road users.
“Signs across the site further underline the message to all customers. Breaking rules, such as ignoring signs to the exit, attempting to drive into roads marked ‘no entry’, and stopping on double-red lines, may result in drivers facing fines.
How to appeal a parking ticket
When you receive a parking ticket the notice will usually provide a window in which you can appeal it and some detail on how to do so.
If the fine is from a council, it will have a dedicated appeals service which should be accessible online or by email or post.
If you appeal within the given window (usually 28 days) the council will then consider your appeal and issue a response.
In the event that you are still dissatisfied with the outcome, you can take it to an independent tribunal, though this can take months.
Just be cautious as most fines include a discount for early payment, which you may miss out on while your appeal is considered.
As for private parking fines, it’s a little more complicated.
Like with councils you can appeal directly to the company that issued the fine.
However, if you are rejected, there is no tribunal to go to.
Instead, you will have to find out which independent appeals service the company you’re dealing with is a part of and submit your complaint to them.
The only thing to note is that the appeals services are often funded by the parking companies themselves.
Check out our exclusive video with the Secret Traffic Warden to find out three major reasons to appeal your ticket.
“The rules are enforced through a combination of fixed cameras and mobile patrols.
“In addition to the signs we have on-site, maps, videos, and guides of how to access the Airport and our car parks are available on our website.
“Facilities are available close to the terminal for vehicles picking up (Short Stay and Pick Up) and dropping off (Drop & Go) passengers, and a waiting zone offering free parking for up to 60 minutes is available.
“This free car park is located by the entrance to Silver Zone and is linked to the terminal by a frequent shuttle bus service.”
The Sun Online has reached out to Bristol Airport for comment.
