Nottingham railway station parking fines net £24k

Some 700 drivers have been fined more than £24,000 in just two months for overstaying a two-minute waiting time at Nottingham railway station.

East Midlands Trains, which imposed the fines, said parking longer caused congestion.

Drivers have argued that two minutes is not enough time to drop off passengers and unload luggage at the drop-off point outside the station.

Brett Shaw, of Nottingham Cars taxis, said it was a "money-making scheme".

He said his drivers had received about six fines, which were up to 10 times the prices of their fares.

"I can understand why they don't want vehicles sitting there, but two minutes is an unfair time to allow the general public and taxis to get their passengers to alight safely," he said.

The fines are £70 each but reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days. There have been 694 fines paid between 8 April and 30 May, mostly at the lower level.

East Midlands Trains said the drop-off zone was monitored by CCTV to prevent vehicles parking for longer so that extenuating circumstances, such as a passenger being helped from a vehicle, could be taken into account.

"It is monitored to prevent vehicles from parking for longer than the allotted time which could cause congestion and prevent others from using the area," a spokesman said.