By Islam El-Sakka
Comedian Joe Lycett has accused Birmingham City Council of being "morally wrong" after he received a parking fine while taking his son to Birmingham Children's Hospital. The penalty charge notice was issued outside the hospital's emergency department at the exact moment Lycett was inside paying for a parking session.
Fine issued during emergency visit
Speaking on Katherine Ryan's podcast "What's My Age Again?", the 38-year-old said he discovered the ticket as his child was being assessed. He argued the timing exposes an exploitative revenue stream for the cash-strapped authority, which issued a Section 114 notice declaring effective bankruptcy in September 2023.
Call for revenue donation
Lycett has submitted a Freedom of Information request to uncover the council's parking earnings outside the city-centre hospital. He urged council leaders to donate every penny collected from fines in the vicinity to the Birmingham Children's Hospital charitable trust, saying even a £100 fine should be handed over.
Council defends enforcement
Birmingham City Council maintained that parking restrictions are vital to prevent spaces near the hospital from being commandeered by commuters. A spokesperson said the council carefully considers challenges when a driver can show they were attending the hospital, and that enforcement helps keep spaces available for patients and visitors.
