Stranded drivers handed parking fines Motorists took shelter at Moto's Pease Pottage rest stop on the M23 near Crawley, Sussex, when a blizzard closed the road, along with countless other routes across the South East, overnight one Monday. But once they were stuck there they were told that they must pay £12 if they stayed for more than two hours - or face an £80 penalty. "It is tantamount to extortion - the equivalent to demanding money with menaces," said Brian Gregory, chairman of the Alliance of British Drivers. He described charging people under those conditions as "morally unacceptable." There were up to 100 cars in the car park yesterday morning. Parking is free for the first two hours, but incurs a charge or a fine thereafter. After the announcement of the charges was made there was a "stampede" to pay the lower fee, one motorist said. Moto has since apologised and said that everyone would receive a refund. They suspended charges yesterday. Some motorists were forced to sleep in their vehicles as they were trapped for up to 15 hours after snow across the South East made roads impassable.