‘CONFUSING’ new parking measures near Barnsley town centre have been defended by the council after fines were dished out to shoppers unaware that they had to display a ticket despite being in a free car park.
A three-hour maximum stay has recently been introduced on Saturdays in council car parks within a few minutes’ walk of the new market - with all other council-run car parks remaining free all day for long stay users.
However, to ensure users of the short stay car parks don’t exceed the maximum stay, a ticket must be obtained free of charge to display the time of arrival.
But shoppers, who say the changes are unfair, told the Chronicle fines are already being issued and blasted the introduction of tickets in free car parks.
Shopper Beverley Gough said: “I have lived in Barnsley all my life and never received a fine for parking in the council’s town centre car parks.
“I feel really cheated that due to the one I always use being now closed down due to building works, which had a two-hour limit, I chose to use the new Market Gate car park for the first time.
“After seeing the high-level signs saying it was free on Saturdays I left my car and was back within 90 minutes, but to my horror I saw a fine notice on my window. Large signs were clear in view which said there was a three-hour maximum stay, with no mention of ticket required.
“I saw signs taped to the very bottom of the ticket machines stating that a ticket is still required on Saturdays, which I don’t think is fairly placed and definitely not in clear view.
“It’s cheating the good people of Barnsley out of their hard earned wages as it’s confusing, underhand and sneaky.”
To notify visitors and users of the short stay car parks, the council told the Chronicle a campaign was run which included coverage on social media and websites.
Enforcement officers also opted to refrain from fining people between August 4 and September 29, instead being told to make motorists aware of the changes.
Matthew Gladstone, executive director for place, added: “To increase the availability of parking spaces for shoppers and visitors to the town centre as a result during the town centre development and closure of the market multi-storey car park, new short stay and long stay zones were created across council car parks on Saturdays.
“Customer and car park usage surveys highlighted the need for greater capacity for short stay shoppers who on average stayed for 88 minutes.
“All short stay car park signage was updated to reflect the changes in accordance with legislation. Yellow covers to prevent payment being made were installed on all long stay car parks and new free on-street parking locations.
“Additional signage was also put in place in all short stay car park entrances to warn of the changes to draw users attention to the new signs. Warning stickers were also added to short stay car park pay and display machines.
“Barnsley Council is taking further steps to avoid issuing fines and has placed additional signs on the pedestrian exits to all short car parks reminding user of the maximum stay and the need to obtain a free ticket.
“Fines and enforcement are needed as a deterrent to ensure long stay users use long stay parking, safeguarding the closest parking spaces to the shops for shoppers and visitors.
“We really want to ensure shoppers and visitors that choose to drive to Barnsley town centre are able to find a parking space close to their destination quickly and easily, while providing sufficient capacity for all users that need to stay longer than three hours.
“Our car parks remain free of charge all weekend.”
