Disabled pensioner charged £880 for airport parking

  • Hamilton McLean was travelling to Florida with his wife Denise for three weeks
  • A local cab company could not pick up the couple due to the heavy snow 
  • Instead, the disabled pensioner, drove and parked in the short term car park
  • Manchester Airport have since refunded Mr McLean £776 of his payment  

A disabled pensioner who was charged £880 for parking at an airport for three weeks has received a partial refund.

Hamilton McLean and his wife Denise, from Great Harwood, Lancashire were shocked to receive the mammoth charge at Manchester Airport short stay car park after returning from a trip to San Francisco where they had been visiting their son Stuart.

Mr McLean, 70, said he was forced to drive them to the airport himself after pre-booking a 5am taxi from Accrington firm Max Cabs, only for it to be cancelled at the last minute due to snow.

Hamilton McLean left his car in the short term car park at Manchester Airport after a local cab company let him down due to heavy snow in the area ahead of his flight to Florida

Mr McLean, who is disabled, was forced to leave his car in the short term car park as he has mobility issues following a stroke last year and severe arthritis 

Mr McLean, who is disabled, was forced to leave his car in the short term car park as he has mobility issues following a stroke last year and severe arthritis 

In the rush to catch their flight Hamilton, who is disabled, said he thought the multi-storey was their only parking option because he uses a buggy – after suffering a stroke last year, and has severe arthritis.

A manager from Max Cabs had said that the decision to cancel Mr McLean’s taxi was due to the poor weather and that the company did its best and couldn’t do anything else.

Mr McLean admitted he was thinking about the potential parking charges while he was away, adding: ‘It was on my mind the whole time – I was distracted from the holiday.’

Mr McLean left the car in the car park for 21 days, 11 hours and 22 minutes, although fortunately, the airport has decided to refund the pensioner £776 after hearing his special circumstances but advised him to pre book in future and park in the correct area

Mr McLean left the car in the car park for 21 days, 11 hours and 22 minutes, although fortunately, the airport has decided to refund the pensioner £776 after hearing his special circumstances but advised him to pre book in future and park in the correct area

Airport bosses have now refunded £776 to Mr McLean, 70, due to ‘exceptional circumstances’.

A Manchester Airport spokesman said: ‘Due to the unique circumstances a refund of £776 was provided to the McLeans.

‘We would advise all passengers check they are parking in the correct car park and to book in advance for the best prices.’

Mr McLean said he was ‘quite pleased’ with the refund and would pre-book a parking space next time. 

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