ANOTHER disabled person has been fined by a parking company for parking in a disabled bay at a popular shopping centre.

Rob Greenwood, 55, of Almondbury, was returning a shelf to B&Q, Leeds Road Retail Park..

Mr Greenwood, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1984, had parked in a disabled bay outside the store – but had forgotten to display his blue badge.

He is, at least, the third disabled person to be fined by Excel Parking, of Sheffield, for alleged parking regulation breaches at Leeds Road Retail Park in just over two years.

When Mr Greenwood, who was forced to stop working three years ago because of his condition, returned to his car he found a ticket from Excel Parking on the windscreen.

Mr Greenwood showed his blue badge to an Excel attendant outside the store who advised him to send a photocopy of his blue badge to the company.

But so far the company has refused to waive Mr Greenwood’s fine.

Because of his condition, which also affects short-term memory, Mr Greenwood is only able to walk short distances and uses a mobility scooter for longer distances.

He said: “I wasn’t parked illegally. I wasn’t causing an obstruction and I was entitled to park there.

“I agree I should have displayed my blue badge but I sent them an apologetic letter and a copy of my blue badge..

“I think in this one instance there should be a bit more leniency. The only ‘abuse’ was me forgetting to display my badge. I didn’t inconvenience anyone.”

A spokesman for Excel Parking said: “Mr Greenwood was observed for at least 10 minutes in a clearly marked disabled bay without displaying the requisite blue badge.

“The Blue Badge Handbook states that ‘you must display the badge on the dashboard... where it can be clearly read through the front windscreen.’.

“Whilst we rejected his appeal, Mr Greenwood has the right to appeal to the Parking On Private Land Appeals (POPLA) service which is an independent body, details of which have been provided to him.”

Birkby grandma Rina Mukherjee, who had cancer, lupus and arthritis, was fined for forgetting to display her disabled parking permit at the retail park in 2010.

Last year, registered disabled Michael Gates, of Netherton, was penalised despite being given permission by B&Q staff to park in a space next to the disabled bays outside the store.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition which affects around 100,000 people in the UK.

Its cause is unknown but there is growing evidence that a childhood virus may act as a trigger.

Physical symptoms include vision problems, balance problems and dizziness, fatigue, bladder problems and stiffness and/or spasms.

MS also affects memory (particularly memories of recent events) and the ability to problem solve and articulate oneself.

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