Fines wrangle car park in Accrington is free again (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Fines wrangle car park in Accrington is free again

6:00pm Tuesday 23rd October 2012 in News By Catherine Pye, Health reporter

A HYNDBURN car park at the centre of a fines controversy, has once again been made free-of-charge.

Residents received tickets for using the Eastgate retail park in Accrington town centre between June 2 and July 8, which had previously been free in line with other town centre car parks.

Hyndburn Borough Council and MP Graham Jones stepped into the row, accusing Aston Rose, the letting agent, and parking enforcement company Excel, of discouraging visitors to Accrington.

Now, the contract between Eastgate retail park and the parking company has been terminated, and the site is free for up to three hours.

However, it is still unclear whether those who have been fined will be able to get their money back.

Coun Clare Pritchard, deputy leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, said: “The council has had many complaints about the way the parking restrictions were imposed on Eastgate.

“I must stress that this car park is not owned by the council, however we’ve worked hard along with local MP Graham Jones, on behalf of the people affected to try and get a satisfactory resolution to the problem.

“It is very disappointing that to date no clear instruction has been given regarding tickets issued between June 2, 2012 and July 8, 2012, in regard to outstanding fines and refund to those who have paid.”

She added: “This is a highly regrettable situation where the letting agent and the car parking company seem to have kicked this issue into the long grass.

“The good news is that parking on Eastgate is now back to three hours, in line with the free parking policy throughout the rest of the town and we will continue to pursue this issue on behalf of residents.”

No-one was available to comment on behalf of the retail park.