Delight as unpopular car park rule scrapped

A parking operator which issued £100 fines to drivers if they walked out of a West Sussex car park has scrapped the rule after a campaign by businesses and residents.

It was implemented by One Parking Solution in Wick Parade, Littlehampton, when new cameras were installed - with shoppers receiving penalty charge notices if they left the parade on foot, even if they also shopped on site.

Rachel Warren, owner of Sips & Giggles café, told the BBC it was "amazing news" it had been cancelled.

Alison Griffiths, Conservative MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, said she had raised the issue at Parliament and with those responsible after more than 1,200 people complained about "unfair" parking charges.

She added the landowner instructed the parking operator to stop issuing fines to people who parked on site and visited shops outside the parade.

One Parking Solution has been approached for comment.

Rachel said she felt the cameras were "intrusive" and claimed visitors had "boycotted" the car park when the rule was in place.

"This had a direct impact on the café, as well as nearby shops," she added.

"Many shops here are independent, and we are just trying to run a business.

"When the rule was lifted, we have noticed more visitors coming back to the area."

Kerry Walters, an employee of the Flower Shop Littlehampton, said they were "absolutely relieved".

"When the rule was in place, customers avoided using the car park because they were afraid of being fined £100, which affected our shop."

Kerry said the rule had been a "huge mistake".

"Since the rule was overturned, and I don't know if it's coincidence, but we have noticed more customers coming back to the shop," she added.

Griffiths said this was "a really important win for local residents and businesses".

"I'm grateful to the landowner for listening and acting quickly to put this right," she added, describing the campaign as a "community effort".

"People were absolutely right to speak up. Being hit with £100 charges for everyday shopping simply wasn't fair," she said.

Griffiths added that the three-hour parking limit would remain in place.

One Parking Solution had previously said enforcement was "necessary to prevent non-customer parking, which places an unfair burden on the landowner in terms of maintenance costs and business rates, while also limiting access for legitimate users".

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