Booths shoppers in vans and 4x4s unable to park at Penwortham store due to new height restriction barriers

Shoppers in vans, 4X4’s and other larger vehicles say they have been banished from Booths supermarket in Penwortham after new barriers were installed at the entrance to the car park.
By Matthew Calderbank
Published 28th Jun 2022, 15:54 GMT
Updated 29th Jun 2022, 10:48 GMT
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New height restriction barriers have been installed at both entrances to prevent Travellers from moving onto the car park in Millbrook Way.

The barriers are 2.1 metres (6.9ft) in height and some drivers say larger vehicles such as some 4x4's, vans, minibuses and motorhomes are unable to fit underneath.

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There have also been complaints from drivers whose vehicles are fitted with roof racks and roof boxes, as well as those carrying bicycles or ladders.

Booths in Penwortham have installed height restriction barriers at the entrance and exit to the car park and some shoppers claim they can't enter because the barrier is too low at 2.1 metresBooths in Penwortham have installed height restriction barriers at the entrance and exit to the car park and some shoppers claim they can't enter because the barrier is too low at 2.1 metres
Booths in Penwortham have installed height restriction barriers at the entrance and exit to the car park and some shoppers claim they can't enter because the barrier is too low at 2.1 metres

Ambulances and police vans are also no longer able to enter the car park but Booths say the barriers can be opened manually to allow access for the emergency services.

The introduction of the barriers has disappointed some shoppers visiting in larger vehicles, who say they no longer feel welcome at the supermarket.

"My son had to take the ladders of his Vauxhall Zafira when he went, otherwise he scraped the height bar,” said one shopper on Facebook.

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Another said: “We tried to go shopping in our Transit van but we were greeted by the height restriction barriers and bollards.

Booths in Penwortham have installed height restriction barriers at the entrance and exit to the car park and some shoppers claim they can't enter because the barrier is too low at 2.1 metresBooths in Penwortham have installed height restriction barriers at the entrance and exit to the car park and some shoppers claim they can't enter because the barrier is too low at 2.1 metres
Booths in Penwortham have installed height restriction barriers at the entrance and exit to the car park and some shoppers claim they can't enter because the barrier is too low at 2.1 metres

"There is no way our van will get under so we had to turn around and go elsewhere. It looks like anyone driving a van or motorhome will have to shop elsewhere from now on.”

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But Booths has defended the decision to install height barriers and say they are larger than those in use at other car parks.

It added that a limited number of spaces are still available to larger vehicles near the petrol station entrance, before shoppers enter the car park proper. These tend to be used for staff but will be available to anyone who cannot drive under the new barriers.

Booths in Penwortham have installed height restriction barriers at the entrance and exit to the car park and some shoppers claim they can't enter because the barrier is too low at 2.1 metresBooths in Penwortham have installed height restriction barriers at the entrance and exit to the car park and some shoppers claim they can't enter because the barrier is too low at 2.1 metres
Booths in Penwortham have installed height restriction barriers at the entrance and exit to the car park and some shoppers claim they can't enter because the barrier is too low at 2.1 metres
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A spokesman for Booths said: “We have installed barriers to ensure parking spaces remain available for customers at all times.

“The barriers installed at Booths Penwortham are 2.1 metres, with 1.85 metres being a more common height for car parks.

“There are spaces available for taller vehicles to park at Booths Penwortham and the barrier can be opened to allow access for emergency services.”

Booths added that it has no plans to introduce ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) cameras at Penwortham.

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