Hasna gets refund

A SICK motorist wrongly fined by the Highways Agency has got her money back, thanks to the Chronicle.

Hasna Begum (27), of Rochdale Road, Royton, fell seriously ill as she drove alone on the M60 and was taken to Fairfield General Hospital, while her car — left on the hard shoulder — was taken to a depot in Ramsbottom.

She said she was handed a yellow slip by ambulance staff, which explained that her car was being taken away by recovery drivers, but she felt disorientated and could not read it.

She was fined £150 for the recovery of the car and a £20 daily holding fee.

But thanks to intervention from the Chronicle, the Highways Agency has revoked the charge.

Miss Begum, a student adviser at Oldham College, said: “The manager phoned me and was very apologetic, as he said the correct procedure wasn’t followed. I was in no state to read the form and I was just told to put it away.

“I wasn’t told that my car was being taken away. They never even checked if I am with the AA — I am a member. The manager said he had spoken to the officers who were on duty and I picked up the full refund for £190 yesterday.”

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said: “We take driver complaints and concerns about the vehicle-recovery service very seriously and we advise drivers to contact the National Vehicle Recovery Manager or our Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000 if they have any issues with a particular removal.

“All complaints are thoroughly investigated and, where appropriate, charges can be waived — for example in some cases where there has been a medical emergency. However, we cannot comment on the circumstances behind individual cases.”