Fines prompt parking rules review

Parking rules are to be reviewed by a Worcestershire council after about a dozen season-ticket holders were fined.

Wyre Forest District Council said it fined drivers in Bewdley for parking in the same space for more than 23 hours, to prevent permanent space blocking.

It said many residents had season tickets for the council car parks as their homes lacked garages and there was a shortage of on street parking.

Residents said they were unaware of the rule, which the council is reviewing.

The council said the 23-hour rule had always been in place in its car parks but had recently been enforced to prevent people taking "ownership" of certain spaces in the public car park and space blocking.

The council said "confusion" may have arisen about the rules due to the lack of clear information, which had resulted in 13 penalty charge notices being issued in the past three months.

Wyre Forest District councillor Tracey Onslow, who oversees the district's parking, said: "We are also reviewing what information is given to residents when they purchase council season tickets, with a view to ensuring that residents have the necessary information to hand, rather than expecting residents to read car park signage."

The 13 penalty charge notices would be made void, she added.