Signs of confusion over free parking

OLDHAM’S Liberal Democrat leader has demanded an urgent review into signs promoting free weekend town-centre car parking.

Howard Sykes says he has had complaints from people given parking fines for not displaying a parking ticket. He says drivers haven’t realised they still needed to get a ticket from the machines.

Signs at car park entrances tell drivers to get a free ticket to display, but Councillor Sykes says they aren’t obvious.

“On personal inspection, if I wasn’t familiar with the policy, it would be quite easy to think you just parked and had no need to get a ticket. The lack of clarity is resulting in parking fines. It leaves people with a very negative view of Oldham.

“I want officers to carry out a review of the signage so people don’t end up with a parking fine and never visiting us again.”

Councillor Shoab Akhtar, Cabinet member for business and town centres, said: “Our signs clearly state that when the three hours of free parking is in force, drivers should take a ticket. We’d always recommend members of the public check the terms and conditions.”