New parking charges cause trouble in Kenilworth

[dutchman]

Drivers who have been fined for not paying the new overnight parking charges in Kenilworth will be dealt with “sympathetically” if they wish to appeal.

This is according to Ian Coker, head of neighbourhood services at Warwick District Council, who spoke to Kenilworth Town Council last year about the 50p parking charge after 6pm in the town’s car parks.

The evening charges came into force across the district on January 1, but the rules only started being enforced two weeks later. Since then 85 per cent of people complied with the new rules and the others were given penalties.

Mr Coker said: “Kenilworth Town Council approved this particular charge rather than an increase in the day rates.

“Councillors felt a 50p charge on top of the cost of a meal out or a round of drinks was a better option than to increase the current 8am to 6pm charges.

“We have been monitoring the level of compliance and did not issue Penalty Change Notices initially but put up additional signs to remind customers of the charge.

“We normally adopt a sympathetic approach to appeals we receive when changes to charges first come into force and given the situation we will be adopting that approach for PCNs received which relate to the overnight charge.”

Mark Timson, an Almanack manager, is not too happy with the new parking charges.

He said: “There are a fair few members of staff and customers who have been given tickets for not paying the 50p.

“Things like this just don’t help local businesses.”

Edgar Martins, BEEF manager, added: “The whole situation is very frustrating as you have to put your 50p in after 6pm, and not a minute before, to get the all night parking.

“This might put people off visiting the town’s restaurants at night.”