A DRASTIC cut in the parking time limit at a dual carriageway service station has drawn the ire of residents who warn their custom will be lost.
Customers at Creekmoor Service Station just off the A350 and Holes Bay Roundabout will now only be able to park in the forecourt for a maximum of 30 minutes.
This comes after numerous reports of anti-social behaviour taking place outside the station and late gatherings by motorists – resulting in police dispersal orders being issued.
The service station, which houses a Shell garage and Budgens store, has automatic number plate recognition technology to enforce the new conditions – which have been criticised as “unreasonable”.
In a social media post, Budgens said: “As some of you may have already noticed, the forecourt is now run by Euro Car Parks with a time limit of 30 minutes. This is to stop unnecessary gatherings and make the forecourt available to as many people as possible.
“If you have a valid reason to be in the forecourt longer than the time permitted please come to the tills and we can sign you in.”
Failure to comply with the conditions will result in the issue of a £100 parking charge notice (£60 if paid within 14 days).
Residents on social media generally responded unfavourably to the change, with some providing examples of their custom lasting longer than 30 minutes.
One woman said: “Thirty minutes is a bit unreasonable for lots of reasons. You will lose a lot of custom.”
Another said: “I’ve been there way longer than that, and all I did was clean my car, wait for the air for my tyres, fill up with fuel, then park up to go get a drink and some food.
“And now I’m expected to remember I might get a ticket and to give my reg number. Nope. Not for me.”
Ward councillor for Creekmoor Cllr Judes Butt told the Echo she would work to adapt the order.
She said: “The reason for this is not to inconvenience customers but to try to limit those who have been parking for hours and then causing antisocial behaviour issues in the evenings.
“I think it will be sensible to have a time limit when the site is frequented by those who cause the issues. The safety of staff at Budgens and that of the community is of the utmost importance.
“Speaking to my residents we need to find a compromise, so local customers do not suffer because of the ASB Budgens has had to tolerate since the opening of the site.”
Euro Car Parks has been approached for comment.
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