Blue Badge holders’ fine fears over big change at Nuneaton hospital car parks
Blue Badge Holders Fear Fines After Major Parking Change at Nuneaton Hospital
Blue Badge holders visiting George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton are voicing serious concerns about facing fines following the introduction of a new parking system on site.
The hospital recently switched to a new parking company and an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system, but many disabled drivers say the process to register their Blue Badges is confusing, time-consuming, and difficult to access.
‘Long-winded’ Registration Worries
One local Blue Badge holder, who preferred to remain anonymous, described the new process as a “palaver”:
“Now when you go for an appointment, you have to scan a QR code from a leaflet, which sends you all over the place — sometimes even asking for a debit card number.”
They added:
“You can only register the badge to one car, and filling out the online form is long-winded. How will people cope with this? We’re in our early 60s, and it took us ages to sort. What about people who are older or more unwell?”
Impact on Health and Wellbeing
The process has left people worried about getting fined, especially since alternative ways to register — like going to reception — are not practical for everyone.
“The alternative is to register at the desk every time, but that would take my partner nearly an hour, which could seriously affect his already poor health.”
They added:
“Why can’t you just register once and be done with it? I’m sure many people, especially older or seriously ill, won’t manage and will end up with fines.”
Hospital Responds to Concerns
In response to these fears, George Eliot Hospital has acknowledged that some users may need help registering for parking and said that support is available.
A hospital spokesperson said:
“Changes to parking were made to improve safety and availability. Full guidance on how to register has been made available on our website and via leaflets at reception.”
They added:
“Support is also available from our provider, GroupNexus, and our on-site team. Blue Badge holders can register their vehicles for either a one-time visit or continuous access via NexusPlatform, with help available from our reception team.”
However, they confirmed that failure to register will result in a parking charge.
✅ Key Information for Blue Badge Holders:
- You must register your vehicle to avoid a fine.
- You can register via QR code, online through GroupNexus, or at reception.
- Help is available from reception staff or GroupNexus.
- Blue Badge holders can opt for one-time or ongoing registration.