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A motorist says he was “flabbergasted” to receive a £90 parking fine after taking a drive-through coronavirus test at a car park.
Geoff Pugh, 52, was handed the penalty after taking his wife and two children for a throat and mouth swab at Edmonton Green Shopping Centre in Enfield, north London on July 7.
He said he was at the site for a total of 23 minutes and followed all of the instructions given to him by staff.
The photographer told PA Media: “At first I thought it was just a genuine fine, so I was about to pay it, but when I looked into where it happened and realised what it was, I was flabbergasted.
“I think it’s completely ridiculous to charge someone for looking after the health of their family, neighbours and work colleagues.
“I didn’t even leave the car the whole time I was there.”
A spokesperson for the company behind the fine said it would cancel any penalty charge notices issued to visitors “incorrectly”.
They said: “The car park terms and conditions and the pay-for-parking system and tariff are set by our client – we do not have any involvement in setting these rules, or indeed when they do or do not charge for parking.
“We cannot confirm whether or not the car park has been repurposed by Enfield Council, just that we have been asked to suspend enforcement activity on specific days and times where they have agreed to provide space for Covid testing. However the car park is still being used for retail during this time.
“July 7 was an occasion where we were only notified that the site had been used for Covid testing, more than a week later, and PCNs were already issued.
“We will cancel any PCNs that have been issued to visitors incorrectly on this or any other specified date where testing is taking place.”