Controversial parking charges at Chester Retail Park axed in time for Christmas

Nov 17 2011 by Katie Bamber, Chester Chronicle

Controversial parking charges at Chester Retail Park axed in time for Christmas

CONTROVERSIAL parking restrictions at a Chester shopping hub have been scrapped in time for the Christmas rush – less than a year after they came into force.

But traders at Chester Retail Park remain in the dark about why the unpopular charges have suddenly been axed.

Cameras were installed in the centre’s Sealand Road car park in February, with drivers slapped with £60 fines for staying more than three hours.

Scores of angry shoppers have since contacted the Chronicle after receiving bills from car park managers Parking Eye.

But on Friday, with no advanced warning, confused shop workers found Parking Eye’s signs had vanished from the car park.

The cameras – which detect and photograph licence plates – are still in place, leading to concerns the restrictions may be reintroduced.

And traders including McDonalds, Mothercare and Toys R Us had still not been officially informed of the changes by the site’s managing agent Savills when the Chronicle went to press.

Savills, acting on behalf of site owners Consolidated Property Group, confirmed the three-hour restriction was no longer in place.

A spokesman said: “As the managing agent, Savills continuously reviews all operation aspects of the park.

“Customers who received tickets when the restrictions were in place will be aware of the appeals process, which is clearly displayed on the ticket.”

The company refused to comment on why the charges had been removed or whether there were plans to reintroduce them after Christmas.

Commercial management associate director Matthew Whiteley said: “There is a reason, but not one I’m willing to go into.”

He added there had been a ‘problem’ informing the park’s traders about the changes.