Shoppers hit with £70 fines claim car park signs at Leyland Tesco Extra "don't make any sense"
Shoppers say they are confused over parking restrictions at Tesco Extra in Leyland where some customers have been hit with £70 fines.
The free car park in Towngate is used by those visiting Tesco, as well as Vets4Pets, a fish and chip shop, a mobility equipment supplier and charity shops.
ANPR cameras are in operation at both entrances - Lancastergate and Church Road - and record vehicles entering and leaving the car park at all hours of the day.
Shoppers bamboozled by times
Customers say they have been left confused by signs displaying various maximum stays during different periods of the day.
Sign warn there is a maximum stay of three hours between 6am and 10pm, while also stating customers can only park for one hour between 10am and 12pm.
In addition, signs warn shoppers are restricted to just 15 minutes parking between 12am and 6am, seven days a week, as well as 15 minutes from 6pm to midnight on Sundays.
What did Tesco say?
A spokesperson for Tesco said: “We have been made aware of an error on a small number of parking signs at our Leyland Extra store, showing a time limit of one-hour parking between 10am and 12pm, rather than 10pm and 12am as it should appear.
“We apologise for this error and have arranged for those signs to be replaced.
“We will ensure that no customers have to pay penalty charge notices for overstaying as a result of this error.”
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Some locals were also under the impression that Tesco were unable to enforce parking limits or issue fines, believing the Council owned the land after it was reportedly ‘gifted’ to the people of Leyland by a private landowner some years ago.
South Ribble Borough Council has now clarified the matter, explaining the land is owned by the Council but leased to Tesco.
A spokesperson for South Ribble Borough Council explained: “Although we own the land at the Tesco Extra site in Leyland, this is on a long-term lease to Tesco who are responsible for the maintenance and operational aspects of the car park and surrounding area.
“We don’t have involvement with the parking restrictions.”
Drivers have the option of paying for further time via the YourParkingSpace app or website. Prices range from £2 for an additional two hours or £4 for up to four hours extra parking.