Beware holiday parking charges

Reporter: RICHARD HOOTON
Date online: 18/12/2009

SHOPPERS heading for the sales are being reminded that parking charges will be in force in Oldham on Boxing Day.

There is expected to be widespread confusion across the country because on-street parking restrictions and charges are often lifted on December 26.

But as Boxing Day falls on a Saturday this year, it is not an official bank holiday — leaving many councils planning to treat it as a normal day with traffic wardens patrolling to maintain the usual parking rules.

Oldham Council has confirmed that the only day over Christmas when there will be no on-street or car parking charges will be Christmas Day.

The bank holiday falls on Monday, December 28, this year but there will be charges in effect.

There have been appeals for leniency for shoppers who unwittingly break the rules and face steep parking fines.

Nationally, there has been such confusion that cars parked in streets which lie on the border between different council areas could be targeted by traffic wardens, while others just yards away will not.

The British Shops and Stores Association said: “It is absolutely ludicrous to hit people with parking fines on Boxing Day.”

Consumer Affairs Minister Kevin Brennan said: “I would hope that councils show common-sense and restraint. Given that many consumers will not know Boxing Day is not an official bank holiday they will feel it is extremely unfair if they get a ticket.”