Drivers angry over Melton car park spaces which are no longer free

They are unhappy that the lack of appropriate signage at the St Mary’s Way site will mean that some parkers will have been fined through being unaware they are no longer free for parking there for 20 minutes or less.

Melton Borough Council admitted the error today and said that no enforcement action will be taken until the sign goes up shortly.

The council had painted the previously green lines on the free spaces white to indicate they are no longer free but many motorists would be unaware that was now the case.

Driver Martin Boothman, who is aged in his 70s, told the Melton Times he parked in one of the previously free spaces without knowing about the change.

“I parked there by mistake and only realised when another driver told me as I got out to get my free 20 minute ticket,” he told the Melton Times.

“I then moved my car before, no doubt, a parking ticket fine would have been issued.

“As I returned to my car some 15 minutes later I then pointed the same problem out to another elderly man who again moved his car before getting a ticket.

“How many more will be caught out like this? How many will be fined?

“This is a disgrace.”

Kym Durrance posted a photo of the parking space on the Melton Neighbourhood Watch Facebook page and also expressed concern that motorists will have been caught out by the lack of signs advertising that drivers had to now pay to park there.

She said she parked in one of the spaces and commented: “Luckily for me, a young lady traffic warden stopped me from making this mistake as I wasn’t paying attention.

“She was the one who told me the council must have changed them through the lockdown period.

“There were another two drivers being told by others whilst I was walking back so there will be alot of people who won’t notice this little change.”

A spokesperson for Melton Borough Council told the Melton Times: “Until signage is in place no enforcement action will be taken and residents should still purchase and display a free 20-minute ticket from the machine when using these bays.

“If anyone has received a fine for parking in these bays, they should contact the council.”

As to why the free spaces have been converted to paid-for spaces, the spokesperson explained: “Following the public consultation that took place in January, two of the free bays were removed in order to provide additional bays to those customers who wish to park for a longer period of time whilst visiting the town.

“In support of the council’s commitment to supporting climate change, any additional income arising from these two additional bays shall be used towards delivering upon our climate change commitment made by the authority in July 2019.”