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Dad fined 200 at East Midlands Airport because he paid for his parking before he left

He says he is prepared to fight the fines in court if necessary

[The airport's Rapid Drop-Off area has recently been redesigned to help ease traffic flow]

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The airport's Rapid Drop-Off area was redesigned last year to help ease traffic flow(Image: EMA)

A Clifton man was left dumbfounded after being handed 200 worth of fines for parking at East Midlands Airport - even though he had paid for his stay.

Kevin Smith, 68, had used the airport's rapid drop-off zone to take his son to the airport and then to pick him up on his return.

Mr Smith had paid the 5 charge for both airport visits and was therefore left feeling "confused" when being handed fines worth 200.

Although Mr Smith did pay for his stay, the Nottingham Post understands he fell foul of a different payment rule.

The drop-off zone works using a barrier-free ANPR camera system and people can leave their car right outside the airport's terminal building.

People are charged 5 for up to 15 minutes and another 1 for every minute after that - up to a maximum of half an hour.

Payments cannot be made using cash or at any on-site payment barriers, with the payment instead being required online or by phone by midnight the day after the airport visit.

Mr Smith and his son opted to use the app for payment on both the drop-off and pick-up, with the former taking place on June 30.

The Clifton man says he spent nine minutes in the drop-off zone during the drop-off and six minutes there for the pick-up, with 5 leaving his account on both occasions.

Yet Mr Smith still received fines of 100 for both visits, with both reduced to 60 if paid within 14 days.

Mr Smith told the Nottingham Post: "They took the money on both occasions for the rapid drop-off. We paid on the app, we followed the rules, the money left the account and then they had the cheek to give me 60 fines.

"This isn't just about me, but about people who might not have a phone or who are just stuck in a bit of a bubble. I think it's so unfair.

"It was my first time going to East Midlands Airport and it was very confusing. I think they need to make it a lot simpler for people."

The Nottingham Post understands that the fines were issued because Mr Smith paid for the parking whilst still in the rapid drop-off zone.

A notice on the app informs customers that they should ensure they have left the forecourt before making payment.

An East Midlands Airport spokesperson said: "We introduced an improved layout and clear signage last year which we're satisfied provides a better customer experience."

A spokesperson for the parking firm APCOA said: "Customers are advised on the payment screen that vehicles must have left the drop off area before a payment is made. Customers then have until midnight the following day to pay for their visit."

Mr Smith's first fine has already been cancelled and he is waiting to hear back from APCOA in terms of the second, but he added: "I will not pay and I will fight it in court if I have to."

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