MOTORIST Mark White has hit out over arrangements in one of Dorch-ester’s busiest car parks.

He was issued a warning notice after buying a long-stay weekly pass but leaving his car in a short-stay space at the Top o’ Town car park on market day.

Mr White, aged 30, said he had used the short stay spaces on market days for the past two years when the long stay zone has been used for coaches.

He claimed that the whole of the long stay area of the car park was cordoned off for three coaches when he and other motorists were issued with warning notices or tickets.

Mr White, who works at offices in the town, said: “I think it is too heavy-handed.

“I have been using the car park for two years and have spent a fortune.

“There are already parking bays for coaches.

“When I arrived the whole of the long stay area was cordoned off and there were only three coaches there.”

Mr White, who lives in Poole, added: “I am pretty angry about it all.”

He spends £14.60 for a weekly long stay ticket. He said the yellow warning notice was the first time he had been notified about the problem.

It warned him that he had exceeded the two hour limit and warned him to move his car.

Mr White said: “I came back to find the yellow warning ticket.

“Other cars had fines and warning tickets too.”

Mr White said that he didnot park in residential streets on market day because it would be inconvenient to residents.

He also said that he did not use the park and ride because it added time to his journey.

Eugene Barnes, who is district council parking services team leader, said: “Some of the long stay parking area is given over for coach parking every Wednesday.

“Once the remaining long stay spaces have been taken, drivers wishing to park for longer periods will need to find alternative places to park such as park and ride.

“Drivers wishing to park for short periods of time may use the short stay section provided that they pay the short stay charges.

“However the short stay section has a maximum stay period of two hours.”