Shoppers face parking restrictions

But now Ravenside Retail Park and supermarket giant Sainsbury's are to clamp down on long-term parking.

It is hoped that the move will drive away motorists who park but don't shop.

Some town-centre workers use Sainsbury's facility to park all day, every day.

Day-trippers often leave their vehicles at Ravenside during the busy summer holiday period to stroll under the railway arch to the beach.

With Rother council set to introduce charges for previously-free car parks the problem is expected to reach crisis point.

The action is seen as a pre-emptive attack on drivers who planned to leave the new pay and display car parks in search of a free alternative.

Although the news of the two separate parking restrictions has broken in the same week, there is no evidence that the two decisions are linked.

Retailers at Ravenside met with Land Securities last week to discuss the imposition of time limits.

Reports suggest that visitors will be allowed a maximum of three hours in which to eat, swim, shop and bowl.

A Land Securities spokesman said that such a limit was "sufficient to facilitate most people's needs".

Store staff will be given permits that will allow them to leave their vehicles in the main car park for an extended period.

The enforcement details and start date of their new scheme are expected to be announced in a couple of weeks.

The new development is due to open at the end of this month when a further 47 car parking space will be made available.

This will take the total number of spaces to 820.

From Monday, Town and City Parking Ltd will patrol Sainsbury's car-park looking for visitors who have out-stayed their welcome.

Any vehicle that exceeds 90 minutes will be fined 40 - reduced to 20 if paid within ten days.

Drivers who park in the disabled bays without a valid disabled badge will be ticketed immediately. Failure to pay could result in a court appearance.

Town and City's operations director George Alexander said no fines would be issued during a one-week grace period but green warning notices will be applied to windscreens highlighting the new rules.

Vehicle index plates will be logged using hand-held computers. The computers will then issue tickets when the allotted time is up.

The Scottish enforcement company operates around 390 car-parks and does not use wheel clamps.

Sainsbury's says the new rules will make it easier for customers to find a parking space.

Signs offering advanced warning of the new policy have been displayed in the car-park but do not state the value of the new fines.