Motorist issued with PCN after drive-thru COVID test

A motorist received a £90 parking charge after taking a drive-thru coronavirus test at a car park.

Geoff Pugh was issued the notice by post after taking his wife and two children for swabs at Edmonton Green Shopping Centre in north London on 7 July.

Pugh said: "At first I thought it was just a genuine fine, so I was about to pay it, but when I looked into where it happened and realised what it was, I was flabbergasted. I think it's completely ridiculous to charge someone for looking after the health of their family, neighbours and work colleagues.”

A spokesman for Highview Parking, which issued the fine, said: “The car park terms and conditions and the pay-for-parking system and tariff are set by our client. We do not have any involvement in setting these rules, or indeed when they do or do not charge for parking.

"We cannot confirm whether or not the car park has been repurposed by Enfield Council, just that we have been asked to suspend enforcement activity on specific days and times where they have agreed to provide space for Covid testing. However, the car park is still being used for retail during this time. As these are specific dates, we rely on notification of those dates in advance.

“We were only notified that the site had been used for COVID testing more than a week later, and penalty charge notices were already issued.”