Parking ticket after "sudden rule change" in Littlehampton

A layby outside the Tropicana fishing tackle shop in New Road, Littlehampton, has netted numerous motorists for parking at an angle to the kerb.

But shop owner Malcolm Pearce says that ever since he first became involved with the business, 38 years ago, cars have been parked diagonally, and without ever being booked, even though vehicles jut out beyond the "official" white line.

Among those issued with a ticket since Arun took over civil parking enforcement (CPE) for the county council last month is financial adviser Andy Berks, of Rustington.

Rules have changed

He returned from a brief shopping trip in the town centre to see the ticket being stuck onto his windscreen.

"He said my car wasn't inside the marked area, but I told him I had parked like that for 20 years. He just said, 'Well, the rules have changed.'.

"How many other people think as I do, and how many more will they catch at 50 a time?"

Mr Pearce said: "Even the police park diagonally, and we are worried now that it will affect our trade if they take this approach.

Ticket to fine

"The annoying thing is that they are issuing tickets for people parking diagonally, but they are not enforcing the one-hour maximum stay. Someone was parked here within the bay for four-and-a-half hours the

other day, but they didn't get a ticket.

"This new restriction on parking has reduced the space available, from five vehicles parking diagonally, to just two or three if they park along the kerb. Something needed to be done about the one-hour parking, but stopping diagonal parking is just an easy way to write tickets, without doing any good."

A spokeswoman for Arun said: "Under CPE, Arun District Council is required to issue tickets to any motorist contravening parking regulations in the district.

"These regulations are laid down by West Sussex County Council, which is responsible for the lay-out of the bays in question.

Appeals will be fair

"We cannot comment on individual cases, however, we can assure the public that we will deal with any appeals we receive fairly and on their individual merits. Motorists should also be aware that if their appeal is turned down they can take it to an independent adjudicator."

A spokeswoman for the county council said: "'The county council is aware of the issue and is considering what the most suitable solution is. In the meantime, to avoid receiving a penalty charge notice, we would recommend that motorists park within the marked bay until any changes are made."

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