Blood donor’s fine is waived

A POTENTIAL life-saver who was slapped with a parking fine while giving blood has had the penalty waived.

But the council has refused to offer free civic centre parking when sessions are on — despite repeated calls from donors.

Jane Riley, from Huddersfield Road, Delph, featured in the Chronicle after she received the ticket at the civic centre.

She had paid for an hour’s parking, but was six minutes late back when the friend she was with felt faint after giving blood at the Queen Elizabeth Hall

The parking attendant who issued the ticket said she would be successful if she appealed, but the council initially refused to waive the fine. It has now agreed after Mrs Riley contacted the Chronicle.

She thanked everyone who supported her appeal and said: “Oldham Council has now waived the fee, stating that the original refusal letter was sent out in error.

“I don’t expect special treatment but felt justified to appeal. If, as someone suggested, you pay for more than an hour and the session takes less — usually about 40 minutes — Oldham Council wins again.

“I will of course continue to give blood. Oldham Council declined my suggestion for free parking on donation nights.”

The National Blood Service regularly runs sessions at the hall. But last year the donors accused the council of bleeding them dry, and called on the council to offer free parking.

They said that people were often unsure how long they would be but the council said at the time: “The time limits and prices at the civic centre and Queen Elizabeth Hall car parks are clearly signed.

“All motorists using them have a responsibility to ensure that they pay for the correct amount of time.”