British tourist fumes after being slapped with £50 fine for parking 'in a parking space'
Local officials acknowledged that the measures were 'causing confusion' for holidaymakers after several were handed hefty fines.
A British man has declared a "sad day for tourism" after he was slapped with a hefty fine for leaving his car in a parking space that had been taken out of use. Dan Down, from Wiltshire, received a £50 penalty notice for parking his car in Cornwall Council-owned Cawsand car park while holidaying in the southeast England region. He claimed he had no way of knowing that the spaces were no longer in use after the council recently relined the carpark, discontinuing around seven spaces but leaving faded markings around them.
Mr Down, who has been holidaying in the Rame Peninsula area for over 20 years, added that he was among a handful of drivers who were shocked to find the penalties on their vehicles after leaving them in what appeared to be legitimate bays in the 139-space car park. "It's a sad day for tourism in Cawsand when council parking wardens hand out tickets for not parking in a parking space," he told the BBC.
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"Clearly, I was along with many others," he added. "There [were] six or seven other people who parked in similar spaces in that car park, who all said 'if you turn up and see what looks like a parking space with white lines, it's a parking space'."
He said he had appealed the £50 fine, which would have been reduced to £25 if he paid within 14 days.
Kate Ewert, Labour councillor for the area, said she was aware that the changes were "causing some confusion" and that she thought those affected were likely to have their fines overturned.
A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: "Several parking bays were intentionally not reinstated to ensure that vehicles can move freely around the site.
"We are aware that some of the older markings may still be visible - although they are faded compared to the new lines - and are taking steps to make it clear that these are no longer designated parking spaces.
"We will review any representation from motorists who believe they may have had a notice issued to them on this basis.
"Anyone in this position is encouraged to follow the representation process outlined on the back of their notice."
