Fine victim claims Barnard Castle car park is a 'council trap'

CONCERNS raised by holidaymakers have been heard by county officials who have improved signage at a popular Barnard Castle car park.

Additional pay and display signs were put up in at the car park near Morrisons last week by Durham County Council following a complaint about it being a “money-making trap.”

Dave and Denise Jones were annoyed when they received a parking ticket during their first trip to the market town in July.

The couple, who were on holiday from Berwickshire, say they were unaware of the need to pay and display in the council-run car park near the supermarket which is usually free back home.

The couple decided to lodge an appeal against the fine because they said there was a lack of signs telling people who enter via the garages off King Street about the need to pay.

Mr Jones said: “As we drove along King Street we spotted the entrance to Morrisons on our right along a road with garages on each side.

“We parked the car in front of the trolley area and went into shop for provisions without even the thought of needing to pay and display in, what was to us, a Morrisons car park.

“At no point did I see any pay and display signage.

“We didn’t get a trolley because we didn’t need one and we didn’t have to pass the pay and display ticket machines so we didn’t know they were there.”

Luckily, the fine was dropped. Mr Jones, who is a former councillor, arranged a second visit early last month to check if the issue had been fixed but much to his disappointment nothing had changed.

He said: “I am disappointed and annoyed that they have not done anything about it. How many people are falling into this trap? That is what it is. How many people would have the confidence to appeal?

“Barnard Castle is a lovely place to be but so easily at the start of your holiday that might have put you off a place and you would never come back. The council needs to act now.

“By not putting a sign up they are saying let’s leave it and make more money. I don’t have a problem with paying to park but they are making a lot of money out of this.”

The Teesdale Mercury contacted the county council about the issue and new signs have now been fixed to a disused signpost just off King Street.

Durham County Council’s head of transport and contract services, Adrian White said: “We recognise that shoppers and visitors to the town would benefit from improved signage at this car park and have added further signs today (Friday, October 6).”