THE DVLA has suspended Highview Parking from collecting data from motorists while an investigation takes place over complaints at Halton Hospital.

A DVLA spokesman confirmed the licence has been 'temporarily suspended' for the Halton site over allegations a woman had been fined after driving past the hospital. 

He added: “Due to the serious nature of the complaint, enquiries made by Highview Parking Ltd have been temporarily suspended for all cases identified at Halton General Hospital until all of the points have been fully investigated and resolved.”

It means the firm is currently banned from applying for the names and addresses of registered vehicle keepers visiting Halton Hospital.

A spokesman for Warrington Hospital said: “Highview Parking have confirmed that they have received a DVLA request to temporarily hold any requests made for alleged parking infringements at Halton General.

"This is as a consequence of the issues raised with ourselves and the DVLA which we have been actively looking at and discussing with Halton Borough Council to resolve any concerns.

"We hope this will be concluded as soon as possible.

"It does not affect the Warrington Hospital site.”

It adds to a serious of embarrassing errors since automatic licence plate recognition technology was introduced earlier this year including an ambulance being fined and a number of motorists fined after paying for a ticket.  

A total of 4,229 parking penalty notices have been issued to patients and visitors since the new system was installed.

Almost 1,000 notices have been withdrawn following appeals.

Warrington North MP Helen Jones says she is contacting the hospital to call for a suspension of the parking charges at Warrington as well as at Halton in the light of the DVLA decision.