A SOUTH Ham man has questioned the NHS over its “ridiculous” car-parking signs after he was hit with a £100 fine. 

Graeme Barbour, 41, was shocked when he received the fine after his wife used the parking facilities at Bramblys Grange Health Centre, in Bramblys Drive, after it had closed for the day. 

Unaware of any restrictions in the privately run car park, Mrs Barbour parked there for half-an-hour while she went to pick up the couple’s child from a nearby cadets meeting at around 8.40pm. 

Mr Barbour said: “There were no lights and the signs that they have used have such small print on them and confusing terms and conditions that it’s impossible to be able to understand them – especially when it’s dark. 

“I understand that it is a private space for users of the NHS facilities, but to be honest the real grinder for me is that the fine is completely disproportionate to what has actually happened.

“The NHS is missing a trick by not allowing people to use it after hours because there was nobody in the building and the fine is just utterly ridiculous.

“The sign which has the terms of use on doesn’t have a light on it, there weren’t any parking metres – what could we do?

“I just don’t understand how they can charge this much for a mistake.”

The car park is run by Birmingham based company Smart Parking. 

A spokesperson for Smart Parking said: “We manage the car park at the Bramblys Grange Health Centre to make sure the people who need to park there can. There are eight signs positioned around the car park which clearly state the terms and conditions of use, and who has permission to park.

“People who want to use the car park have to register with the clinic. In the case of Mr Barbour, he parked for over 30 minutes without registering so was correctly charged.

“For motorists who pay the charge within the first 14 days there is a 40 per cent reduction, however in the case of Mr Barbour, he did not do this and has now paid the full charge.”

A spokesperson for NHS property services added: “The new car parking system was introduced at Bramblys Grange Health Centre due to the increased inappropriate use of car parking spaces by non-visitors to the centre.

“If people feel there may be mitigating circumstances surrounding their parking charge, we encourage them to submit an appeal to Smart Parking.”

There are two types of sign in Brambly Grange Health Centre car park. One explains that to use the car park, patients need to register their vehicle details at reception. 

But on the biggest sign there is no mention of this, leading to confusion for Mr and Mrs Barbour.

Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, encourages those hit with a parking fine from a private firm to know their rights. 

Posting on his website, he said: “Anyone slapped with an unfair ticket should take a stand. 

“They have no right to fine you – it’s just an invoice, and like any invoice which you believe you don’t owe, just politely write back and inform them why and that you won’t be paying.”