Scots driver fumes after being handed £100 fine for three-point turn at airport

A Scots tourist has hit out after he was fined £100 for making a three-point turn at an airport. Ian Simpson, from Glasgow, was left counting the cost after he was fined on his journey to drop a rental car back at Bristol Airport.

Mr Simpson - who hired a car for his trip to the English city - has vowed to never travel to Bristol again, after he was slapped with a fine for attempting to dodge no entry signs at the major travel hub, Bristol Live reports.

He claims that his satnav instructed him to turn onto a street legally at the airport when looking for the right area. However, he claimed there were no entry signs 25 yards ahead, so he turned around and went to find the right way.

Mr Simpson was hit with the bill a month later and tried to appeal the case, but he alleges that officials couldn't give him an answer on what he should have done when he came to the no-entry sings. Mr Simpson has told how the ordeal has left him frustrated.

He said: “I was hit with the £100 fine for ‘stopping’ in a no-stopping zone. I admit that I shouldn’t have stopped but I needed to do a three-point turn, and no one has told me what else I could have done.

“It is frustrating that I was fined and worse that I was not given a clear answer on what I could have done to avoid it. I regard the fine as nothing but entrapment.

“I will never fly to Bristol Airport again, I will deliberately fly to and from an alternative airport, even if it is more expensive. I feel like the fines are extorting the public.”

Mr Simpson feels like the lack of an answer has made his case feel more frustrating with a lack of understanding. He adds: “I fail to understand what to do. The fine stung me.

“I believe that I haven’t done anything wrong. I did the three-point turn to avoid going in a no-entry area, the turn took 40 seconds. This is a poor showing from Bristol Airport.”

A spokesperson for Bristol Airport said: “All of the internal roadways at the Airport have experienced a longstanding issue with vehicles stopping in unsafe areas. This poses a high risk to the safety of our customers, colleagues and business partners and causes delay and congestion to other road users.

“Signs across the site further underline the message to all customers. Breaking rules, such as ignoring signs to the exit, attempting to drive into roads marked ‘no entry’, and stopping on double-red lines, may result in drivers facing fines. The rules are enforced through a combination of fixed cameras and mobile patrols.

“In addition to the signs we have on-site, maps, videos, and guides of how to access the Airport and our car parks are available on our website. Facilities are available close to the terminal for vehicles picking up (Short Stay and Pick Up) and dropping off (Drop & Go) passengers, and a waiting zone offering free parking for up to 60 minutes is available.

"This free car park is located by the entrance to Silver Zone and is linked to the terminal by a frequent shuttle bus service.”

It is reported that Bristol Airport is notorious for hitting drivers with fines over stops, three-point turns and parking issues. The airport was named as one of the most expensive airports in the UK to park at for a week-long holiday.

A report found a week stay could cost £99 or just above £14 a day.

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