Disabled drivers reprieved

Cerebral palsy sufferer Mark Grantham with his father and driver Chris. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Auckland Transport has backed down over fines it issued to disabled people for parking in spaces they thought were reserved for them outside Eden Park.

Mark Grantham, who is largely immobilised with cerebral palsy and has an assistant to drive his special van, said yesterday that he was delighted with the council-controlled organisation's decision to cancel his $40 infringement notice.

The agency said it was cancelling his notice and those of four other people with vehicles parked under disability signs in Cricket Ave during the one-day cricket international on February 5 between NZ and Pakistan.

Mr Grantham said he and the others were directed by Eden Park security staff to park there, but when they returned to their vehicles they found infringement tickets written by Auckland Transport officials.

He said the Eden Park staff told them they could do nothing as they had been overruled by the transport officials. Mr Grantham's father, Chris, wrote to Auckland Transport describing the ticket issued to his son as grossly insensitive and received back what he suspects was a form letter refusing to let him off.

It said the only way a fine could be waived was if Mark could prove his van had broken down or been stolen, or that he had suffered a medical emergency.

But Auckland Transport said yesterday in response to Herald inquiries that it had discovered some confusion between a variety of officials working on the day of the cricket match about where people with disabilities were to park.

"In fact it was Bellwood [Ave] as opposed to Cricket Ave," said spokeswoman Sharon Hunter.

"In light of the confusion on the day by officials working at the game, Auckland Transport will cancel the five infringement notices that were issued and refund any payments which were made."

Chris Grantham said he was relieved about the agency's re-think, but wondered why it had not responded in a more common-sense way to his approach.