Retail park bosses have been slammed after plans to quash parking fines were put ‘on hold’.
Dozens of drivers were left outraged over the cutting of free parking limits from three hours to 90 minutes on Eastgate Retail Park.
The Observer exclusively reported how letting agents Aston Rose agreed to quash all tickets handed out between June 2 and July 8 and restore the original parking limit.
However Excel Parking, which manages the car park for Aston Rose, has now told motorists they need to appeal the fines after a decision to cancel outstanding fines was delayed.
The situation has been branded ‘farcical’ by council leader Miles Parkinson.
He said: "They have dropped a clanger. It’s been absolutely appallingly handled by the agents of the site.
"We have been in contact with them and they have seen the PR disaster for the units on the site.
"The retail units are up in arms and we now have people saying they don’t want to come to Accrington."
Parkinson’s sufferer David Gregson appealed his fine. He has now been told that his fine has been put on hold’ by Excel.
David, 64, from Accrington said: "One of the reasons I park and shop on there is for the convenience because I am disabled. When my medication wears off it makes it difficult to walk.
"I thought my appeal would be successful because they said they would quash the fines. It’s getting silly now."
Alun Cockroft, commercial director at Excel, said discussions are ongoing with Aston Rose to resolve the situation.
He said: "All cases between June 2 and July 8 are currently on hold pending negotiations with our client.
"We are instructing those individuals who received a Parking Charge Notice to appeal, as stated upon their notice in order that we have full and accurate records."
John Williams, director of management and professional services at Aston Rose, said: "We are putting as much pressure as we can on Excel.
"It’s taking a lot longer than I would like to get it resolved."
Motorists are being advised by the council to visit the Money Saving Expert website – www.moneysavingexpert.com – for advice on how to write an appeal.
