Driver Slammed For Parking On Motorway To Avoid Paying Airport Pick-Up Fee

A driver has faced backlash online for parking on the motorway in order to not pay the pick-up charge at an airport.

While BMW drivers may have the reputation for being the worst drivers on the road, a Citroen C4 Cactus driver could be set to take the crown for the most annoying.

North West Motorway Police officers spotted the car parked just outside of Manchester Airport on the hard shoulder of the ME54 'waiting to collect people'.

North West Motorway Police tweeted a photograph of the vehicle with its number plates blurred along with the caption: "Driver seen by ME54 stopped on hard shoulder at Manchester Airport waiting to collect people - TOR issued."

Driver seen by ME54 stopped on hard shoulder at Manchester Airport waiting to collect people - TOR issued pic.twitter.com/D9fHnZuVLR

— North West Motorway Police (@NWmwaypolice) April 23, 2022

Pulling in on the hard shoulder on the motorway without it being an emergency can see drivers get fined £100 and served three penalty points.

The pick-up charge at Manchester Airport is £6 for 30 minutes.

As well as receiving a TOR - which is a Traffic Offence Report that can also be given to drivers for traffic offences such as speeding or anti-social behaviour - the driver of the vehicle also faced backlash online.

One user claimed that drivers parking alongside the motorway in a bid to get out of paying airport pick-up charges happens 'often enough'.

"This seems to happen often enough that it should be obvious that something needs to be done about short term parking for pick ups at the airport.

"If people think parking on the motorway is a viable alternative to being ripped off at the airport then it needs to be addressed," they said.

Another stated: "A lot of airports for pick up and drop off have 20 minute no fee points but it's not always obvious as you still have to enter the car park and get a ticket. If your over your time you will pay but this is still cheaper then a fine."

However, some users stuck up for the driver and blamed the airport.

One said: "I’d imagine there’s a correlation between the number of people doing this and airport parking charges when collecting arrivals. The amount of vehicles driving in circles until they get the nod to pick up is ridiculous."

"As someone who regularly has to fetch from the airport I find the costs extortionate and sympathize with every person doing this. I really think for the safety of people we should be offered a safe place to fetch people and drop off.

"What are taxes used for? Can be further away," another wrote.

A third resolved: "Probably because it costs about the same as a week in Tenerife to pick someone up at the airport. Without doubt, the worst airport on Earth."