Controversial restrictions at Bromsgrove Co-op car park abolished

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THE CONTROVERSIAL restrictions on the car park outside Bromsgrove's Co-op which saw drivers charged £100 for leaving the site have now been abolished by Sainsbury's, the owners of the land.

And all the tickets issued since February 18 for those who left the site will be cancelled, with those who have already paid them being able to claim back the cash in full.

Signage will now be amended to show people are free to park for two hours and leave the site to visit other nearby shops and facilities if they want. They will only be charged if they stay for over 120 minutes.

A fortnight ago, we ran a front page story about the issue after receiving several complaints from angry drivers who had been hit with £100 charges, despite parking there for years.

That prompted many comments on our Facebook page and letters being sent into the paper.

Then, on Friday (March 1), motorists contacted us to say the part of the sign which outlined the restrictions, with regard to leaving the site, had been covered up.

And Sainsbury's confirmed to us today (Monday) that the restrictions had been ammended to offer two hours free parking, as it had prior to February 18.

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

“There is still a trading tenant on the site, so our development timescales will be reviewed in due course.

"In the meantime, we are happy to be able to intervene and ensure the free car park is a benefit to residents and local businesses.”

We have contacted the parking contractor UKPC, but, as yet, the company has not responded.

Those with fines can have them reimbursed by calling UKPC on 0870 1740074 or by writing to UKPC Appeal, PO Box 1087, Uxbridge, UB8 9UR.

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