A DISABLED holiday-maker has hit out at a parking enforcement company after being slapped with an “unfair” fine.

Dr Peter McParlin, of Leeds, had been fishing on Whitehaven harbour with his wife and young son, who are also disabled, when he was hit with the £70 penalty charge.

The doctor of psychology, who has been holidaying in West Cumbria with his family for the last five years, said the fine from the Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners had spoiled their visit.

He said the signage for parking charges is unclear and believes a smaller font has been used on purpose so disabled people would not realise they have to pay.

Dr McParlin said: “Underneath the sign indicating disabled parking, in much smaller writing, it says that disabled parkers will not be exempt from parking charges.

“Of course we didn’t see this. As a disabled person, you’re concentrating on getting out of the car, not thinking I must go up and see if there is smaller writing.

“I think the commissioners have got it wrong and are just being very cruel hitting disabled people. It’s very unfair.”

Dr McParlin has appealed the parking fine, which he was given on bank holiday Sunday, but it has already been rejected by the harbour commissioners.

If he decides to appeal the decision again he would lose the right to pay a reduced amount of £40.

Dr McParlin has also submitted a Freedom of Information request to the commissioners, asking for the number of tickets issued to people in disabled bays, the number of appeals that have been received from disabled people and the number of appeals which relate to unfair signage.

Anne Bradshaw, chairman of Copeland Disability Forum, said it was “unfortunate” but it was the harbour commissioners’ decision.

She said: “The harbour commissioners took the decision to charge. At the time Copeland Disability Forum were consulted about this. I don’t want to pass opinion on whether it’s right or wrong.

“We have always said it’s up to the companies. More and more places are bringing charges in.

“I don’t know whether they are standard signs. I’m sure the harbour commissioners have looked into it.“You go in the Lake District National Park car parks around Cumbria and in a lot of them you have to pay.

It’s unfortunate, really. Perhaps the harbour commissioners could make the signs clearer but I have never had any problems.

“Blue badge holders automatically think they should get free parking. It’s a privilege to have a blue badge and park but it doesn’t entitle you to free parking. I would like it to say in the booklet to check that you aren’t expected to pay.”

Celia Mackenzie, chief executive of the Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners, said: “We are a private landowner and there are obligations for parking on private land.

“The International Parking Community audit all our car parks. All of our signs were audited in June. They audited 49 of our signs and every single one passed.

“We have never been found to have a failure in our signage. The signs state clearly that blue badge holders must still pay for parking.”