One of the UK’s private companies is pushing ahead with plans to switch to automatic number plate recognition cameras at a Trowbridge car park despite concerns.
Shoppers are not happy about UK Parking Control's plans to limit their movement to just the shops, restaurants and Odeon cinema surrounding the site.
UKPC, the company that runs the car park, posted a notice last month telling users that in future it will be controlled by ANPR technology and parking monitored by an on-site warden.
New photographs show the company has installed signage and machines for the new system near the town’s Odeon cinema.
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, the company says.
READ MORE: ANPR cameras could be used to stop rule-breaking drivers in Wiltshire
UKPC says that if customers leave the car park while their vehicle remains, they may be issued with a parking charge notice in accordance with the Private Parking Code of Practice.
Some residents have objected strongly to this, querying how UKPC intends to police their movements when they leave their vehicle.
More than 70 comments were left on Facebook when the Wiltshire Times first posted about the plans.
Reacting to the news, Tracy Purches posted: "The cameras don't bother me, them saying you cannot leave St Stephen's Place if using the car park or you will be charged is an absolute joke.
"If someone were to take their child to the cinema then to the park for a run around they would have to either pay when they go to the park or move their car.
"Trowbridge is becoming more and more of a ghost town and putting ridiculous parking restrictions in place will make less people want to come."
Matt Eaton posted: "It's a private car park so they can make whatever weird rules they like really. That said, if you don't like it there's an easy fix: vote with your feet and don't spend your money at the businesses there."
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.”
Brendan Groves posted: "Trowbridge is knackered, all that is left to do is close it down. Who needs this? Not me, just go elsewhere without the rubbish problems."
Jim Butler agreed, posting: "I won't use The Shires now because of the issues, I now will not use St Stephen's. I'm sure I won't be the only one, I prefer to go out of town now anyway."
Sharlotte Collier shared an alternative view, posting: "I personally don’t see an issue, you park there to use the facilities within the car park.
"If you want to venture into town you can use the multi-storey, Lovemead, Cradle Bridge, the little one the other side of the roundabout, Eastwing at weekends (until new campus is built) but that will be a couple years maybe.
"Ample parking in Asda and underneath and they are all a very short walk away, if not then in the town centre. So if you plan on going to the cinema or a restaurant and then to go to park or town just park somewhere else to begin with."
The car park is on private land and this enables UKPC to impose parking charges of up to £100, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days of the notice being issued.
UKPC has been contacted for a comment but the Wiltshire Times has not yet received a response.
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