A holidaymaker visiting the South West has expressed frustration after receiving a parking fine for occupying spaces in a village car park that, in reality, no longer exist.
Dan Down, from Wiltshire, parked in Cornwall Council-managed Cawsand car park on the Rame Peninsula, selecting spaces that had been officially removed from use despite faint, older markings still visible on the ground.
The recent relining of the 139-space car park deliberately omitted around seven bays to improve traffic flow. However, remnants of the original white lines remain, causing confusion for motorists who find themselves fined for parking where the council says they should not.
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Cllr Kate Ewert, Labour councillor for the area, acknowledged the issue, stating she had not been formally informed of the changes but recognized that the faded lines are misleading. “It’s causing some confusion,” she confirmed and believes those penalized stand a strong chance of having fines overturned.
Mr. Down, a regular visitor to Cawsand over the past two decades, was fined £50 (reducible to £25 if paid within 14 days) after parking in one of these redundant spaces. He has no plans to pay, having submitted an appeal.
“It’s a sad day for tourism in Cawsand when parking wardens issue tickets for parking in what clearly looks like a marked space,” he said. “There were six or seven other drivers who parked similarly, all unaware that those spaces were invalid. There are no signs warning against parking there, and the lingering white lines are very clear.”
Mr. Down emphasized the need for clearer communication: “If the council doesn’t want people parking in certain spots, there should be explicit signage and the old lines should be removed. I’m prepared to take this to court if necessary.”
Sharing the sentiment, another driver expressed her intention to consult a solicitor, noting, “If I see boxed areas in a car park without signs, why would I assume they’re unavailable?”
Residents and visitors alike are troubled by this confusion, with some criticizing the enforcement as unfair and discouraging repeat visits to the area.
A Cornwall Council spokesperson explained, “Following relining at Cawsand car park, some bays were intentionally eliminated to facilitate better vehicle movement. While older markings remain faintly visible, we are actively working to clarify which spaces are valid. We encourage any motorists who believe they were unfairly ticketed to submit representations according to the procedures detailed on their penalty notices.”