Calls for changes at Chelmsford station after motorists left with hefty fines
It's claimed unclear signage is leaving people out of pocket
Chelmsford Labour Party is calling for changes to parking at Chelmsford station they say leaves people vulnerable for fines of up to £100.
The group says changes and unclear signage introduced when Greater Anglia devolved station parking to NCP in April has led to station users being ‘adversely affected’.
The front of the station has been allocated for disabled blue-badge holders registered with Goparking.
Yet Labour has criticised signs on the station bridge entrance they say point to 20 minute parking.
Motorists have five minutes to leave the immediate area around the station or face a £100 fine. This can be reduced to £60 if it is paid within 14 days.
The group says that when asked, two different Greater Anglia customer service staff said that parking would be allowed at the front of the station for a maximum of 20 minutes, despite clear notices to the contrary.
However they say when they visited the station the five minute layby, which only takes two cars, was completely blocked by a white transit van for more than an hour.
A new station drop off and pick up point with 10 clearly demarcated spaces for station users is now available for 20 minutes, adjacent to the Townfield multi storey car park beyond the exit ramp of the station.
They say two small signs, one outside the rear station entrance and one at the top of the exit ramp are the only indication of this facility.
In a statement the group said that only are they easy to miss, the unfamiliar could also miss the station parking altogether, which is beyond the multi storey long stay entrance.
Despite being a ANPR-monitored car park, Chelmsford Labour Party’s says at the time of their visit every single one of the 10 allocated drop off spaces was in use by vehicles for more than an hour with cars routinely parking in these bays on a daily basis. They added this blocks the only legal drop off pick up points available to rail users.
A statement from the group said: “Greater Anglia and NCP need to sort out their signs and their signals to let people know about these changes through a more wide-ranging advertising campaign. Legal car parking must made available to Chelmsfordians who want to be able to drop off or pick up without incurring fines. We should be encouraging local people to use the railways, not condoning others who break the rules.”
A statement from Chelmsford MP Vicky Ford said: “It is important that people be able to drop off and pick up at the Station. I have asked Greater Anglia to look into the signage.”
A Greater Anglia spokesperson said: “There is a range of parking available at Chelmsford station. There is an official drop off point at the station situated just off the arch near the taxi rank, which is clearly signed. Customers stopping there to drop off or pick up someone should not be charged. Any vehicle staying longer than their permitted time will automatically receive a parking charge.
“Anyone parked in an accessible bay without a Blue Badge will also receive a parking charge notice.
“The British Parking Association recently carried out a review of signage with NCP and deemed that it meets all relevant standards.
“NCP patrols the station car parks on a regular random basis. Anyone who believes they have received a parking charge notice in error can appeal it via the NCP website. We are sorry for any confusion caused to customers. All parking details for individual stations can be found on our website.”