An East Kilbride funeral directors has slammed Glasgow City Council after they were slapped with a bus lane fine for dropping a grieving family at a wake.
Hester and Lalli Independent Funeral Care appealed a Bus Lane Enforcement Charge for taking a bereaved family to the Grant Arms Pub on Argyle Street in the city centre for the funeral purvey.
The drop-off in front of the pub took place last month - with the family facing walking in the lashing rain.
But Hester and Lalli were recently notified that an appeal to waive the fine had been rejected by Glasgow City.
They are calling for funeral limousines to be given the same dispensation as taxis, which can use bus lanes.
A furious Dee Lalli told Lanarkshire Live : "Our funeral family limousine, was taking a bereaved family to Argyle Street for the funeral purvey.
"It was lashing with rain and knowing it was a bus lane, we still dropped the family off in front of the venue.
"First of all, funeral family limousines, the purpose is to pick up from their door and take them to their final drop off point.
"Secondly, the family are in mourning, it's pelting down, why on earth would you drop them off at some corner from where they have to walk in the pouring rain to get to their destination?
"Taxis are permitted, buses are permitted, why not a funeral car?
"This is a most distressing time for a family and it is our duty as funeral directors to look after the families in their time of need...not abandon them on some street because Glasgow City Council don't deem our service important enough."
Dee went on to say that throughout the pandemic, funeral directors "worked 24/7" as they always do and were out there in the thick of it, helping families, comforting them in their time of need and adapting and adhering to the changes that were being applied.
She added: "We should not be fined for putting the bereaved families first, should we? At times we also have members of a family who have mobility issues. What do we do then?
"We spoke about the incident to other funeral directors and another mentioned that the same thing had happened to him and his fine was waived.
"I guess, we would normally just let it go, pay the fine but we have felt really strongly about this. Our purpose is to deliver a good service and look after families - whatever it takes.
"Isn't it about time Glasgow City Council had a heart and changed their petty rules regarding funeral cars and bus lanes?"
A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “The bus gate has been in operation for over three years and allows access for buses, taxis, private hire cars, bikes and goods vehicles.
“As the driver appears to have ignored the road restrictions in this case, it is appropriate to apply the penalty charge notice."
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