Some Trowbridge shoppers are up in arms after plans to convert St Stephen’s Place into a car park controlled by automatic number plate recognition cameras were unveiled.
UK Parking Control Ltd, the company that runs the car park, posted a notice telling users that in future it will be controlled by ANPR technology and parking monitored by an on-site warden.
The new system will be enforced from Monday, August 19 and the car park will only be for the use of St Stephen’s Place customers.
UKPC says that if customers leave the car park while their vehicle remains, they may be issued with a parking charge notice.
The company’s notice said: “St Stephen’s Place car park is moving to Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) + onsite warden, which will be enforced from Monday 19th August.
“Parking is for the use of St Stephen’s Place customers only. If you leave the car park whilst your vehicle remains, you may be issued with a notice of parking charge.”
This could mean that UKPC intends the car park to be used only by people visiting the nearby restaurants and the Odeon cinema.
The current signage states the car park is for use “only by customers when shopping on site” and allows the first three hours free of charge only if a ticket is displayed.
However, Trowbridge Town Council leader Stewart Palmen said: “I cannot see how they would police that in any meaningful way. The number plate recognition on the entrance and exit can only determine how long your car has stayed there.”
Others commenting on local social media were up in arms about the change, with one woman saying: “That doesn't make sense. You have to leave the car park to go to the cinema or food outlets.”
Another added: “So basically, you cannot use this car park for any other use but the cinema and restaurants?”
But another woman said: “My big issue with this is the multi-storey spaces are so small, I struggle to get my toddler in and out of the car.
“The open car park is so much easier for us so have always parked there.”
However, The Shires car park also uses ANPR technology, so many residents will be familiar with the system.
Wiltshire Council is installing upgraded ticket machines to its car parks to allow users to tap and pay by credit or debit cards as well as cash.
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