Major U-turn after parking fines spark outrage (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)

Major U-turn after parking fines spark outrage

1:20pm Tuesday 5th March 2013 in News

A MAJOR U-turn has been made on the parking fines controversy at a Bromsgrove car park after a supermarket giant which owns the land intervened.

And parking fines will be refunded and outstanding ones cancelled, it has been announced.

Last week, the Advertiser reported on the numerous complaints from angry motorists who received a £100 fine after parking at the Bromsgrove retail park, off Birmingham Road opposite the Victoria Ground.

New signs erected said two hour maximum stay but on a second sign, in smaller print, people were warned they could receive a ticket if they left the car park on foot.

A number of people complained after leaving the site to visit nearby Davenal House Surgery and other shops, as they had done for years, only to return and find they had been given a ticket.

Sainsbury’s, the owners of the site, has confirmed it has now stepped in following the complaints.

Signs are being amended to show people are free to park and visit any nearby shops, including the surgery and Knights Pharmacy, provided this is within the two-hour limit.

All parking tickets issued since February 18, to people who left on foot, are to be cancelled.

Motorists who left the site and paid £60 - the reduced fine amount if paid within 14 days - can get this reimbursed by UK Parking Control by calling 0870 174 0074, or write to UKPC Appeal, PO Box 1087, Uxbridge, UB8 9UR.

Sainsbury’s development manager, Ben Littman, said: “On learning local people were being fined despite parking for less than two hours we instructed the relevant parties to ease the management, which we feel should only be in place to prevent long term parking abuse.

“We are happy to be able to intervene and ensure the free car park is a benefit to residents and local businesses.”

Sainsbury’s will be building a 45,000 square foot store on the site after the lease of current tenants, including the Co-operative supermarket, expires later this year.