Clarity an issue over free weekend parking

SIGNS advertising free parking at car parks across the town centre are to be inspected to ensure they give out full information.

The council recently announced plans to extend its scheme, which gives drivers three hours free at weekends, for another 12 months.

Last month, Liberal Democrat leader, Councillor Howard Sykes, demanded an investigation into the signage - he claimed many signs didn’t state a ticket still had to be obtained and displayed even though parking is free.

“If I wasn’t familiar with the policy it would be quite easy to think you just parked up and had no need to obtain a ticket,” he said. “The lack of clarity is resulting in parking penalty fines.

The council claims information is visible on signs and banners at the car parks operating the scheme - but in a letter to the council’s chief executive Carolyn Wilkins, Councillor Sykes said some of them aren’t sufficiently clear.

Ms Wilkins has promised to send officers to inspect all the signs to make sure essential information is visible.