A Co Armagh man hit with a £145 fine as a result of Belfast City Airport’s controversial ‘no stop zones’ has slammed the fee as “outrageous” as he says he only briefly stopped to let his wife out of the car as she was feeling sick.
Sean McMahon, originally from Co Armagh but living in London, was returning with his wife from a visit home for Christmas when they arrived at Belfast City Airport ahead of their flight on Boxing Day.
They were driving towards a car hire firm within the airport to return a rented vehicle when he stopped to let his wife out of the car at one of the roundabouts outside the terminal.
He says she was feeling ill and needed to exit the car in order to use the bathroom in the airport.
He was later issued with a fine of £100 for stopping, and was also ordered to pay a £45 administration fee from the hire firm as they were the owners of the vehicle.
The airport has said around 60 signs are visible in its grounds warning drivers that they face a £100 fine if they stop anywhere outside a designated drop-off and pick-up zone, where a £3 fee applies for the first 10 minutes.
However, 10 minutes of free parking is available at the airport’s long-stay car park, while the fine can be reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.
The fines - which are managed by an outside company, Vehicle Control Services Ltd - have been introduced as the airport says motorists stopping outside the terminal were a “significant hazard” to other drivers and pedestrians.
The issue attracted scrutiny earlier this month when former DUP special advisor Tim Cairns posted to social media about receiving a fine, and described the system as “underhanded”.
In contacting the airport, Mr McMahon wrote: “Is it your policy that a car containing someone who is ill cannot stop to let them visit the toilets?
“Clearly, we were not availing of a free drop off as we were returning the car to the car hire section 100 meters away.”
Speaking with the Irish News, he said: “We were on our way to return to London after a visit home for Christmas, and as we drove towards the car hire outlet, my wife said she was feeling car sick, so I briefly stopped to let her get out before I drove on to return the car.
“I’ve tried to explain the circumstances to the airport, but I’m told the fine still stands and must be paid.
“I would use Belfast City Airport a lot, but would honestly think twice now as this fine is outrageous for what was a very brief stop in an emergency. It’s an extreme policy and I don’t believe it should be applied in such circumstances.”
Mr McMahon has said he intends to contact the airport’s chief executive over the matter.
A spokesperson for Belfast City Airport said: “Whilst we will not comment on individual cases, drivers allowing passengers to vacate their vehicle in ‘no stop zones’, despite clear markings and signage, presents a significant hazard to other motorists and pedestrians, as well as blocking emergency vehicle access.”
They said the charges “are issued and managed solely by an external company, Vehicle Control Services Limited, which has a 20-year pedigree and currently operates at over 600 sites across the UK”, adding: “We would advise that any queries or appeals are directed to Vehicle Control Services Limited using the contact information provided on the parking charge.”
The Irish News approached Vehicle Control Services Ltd for a response.
