Shoppers unhappy with cashless car park

Shoppers have criticised new tariffs at a car park because they can only be paid by using a phone, rather than cash.

The car park off Welton Road, in Brough, East Yorkshire, used to be free and open 24 hours a day, but fees have now been introduced for stays of more than an hour and signs say it will be closed between 22:00 and 06:00 GMT.

Carole Gedge, 79, who lives in the town, said: "There should be a meter, I wouldn't be able to do it on my phone and because of that I could get a fine."

After being contacted by the BBC, operator M Core LCP said the "cashless solution" was "widely used across the country" and overnight parking would be allowed subject to fees.

A spokesperson for the firm added: "Charges were introduced to ensure fair use of the car park and prevent long-term abuse."

"The first hour remains free to support local trade.

"The system allows customers who wish to stay longer than one hour to do so while maintaining availability for shoppers."

More than a dozen signs advising drivers to pay using an app or a telephone number have been installed at the site.

Stays of more than an hour will be charged at £5.20, according to the firm.

Brian Pinion, 73, said: "I've got cash, I have a credit card, I'm quite happy to pay either method, but I don't have the ability to pay."

Ms Gedge, raised concerns about the small print on the signs, calling it "absolutely unreadable".

"You'd need a pair of binoculars or a magnifying glass to see what it says," she added.

Helen Fielder, 51, the manager at carpet shop Morgan and Quinn, said she was worried customers might struggle to park.

She said: "For people who don't make payments on their phone, not having access to a meter could be hard for us, especially with our older customers."

Councillor Terry Gill, who represents Brough on East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: "The whole thing is ridiculous, I can't read the small print and most residents won't be able to read the small print either."

The car park is next to the Red Hawk pub and customers regularly used to leave vehicles overnight.

Gill added: "If people leave the pub and leave their car to avoid drinking and driving, they may get a fine. It's crazy because there's never been a problem."

M Core LCP said overnight parking would be subject to charges to "ensure flexibility for customers while maintaining fair use of the car park".

The signage complied with British Parking Association guidelines and met industry standards, the firm added.

The spokesperson said drivers staying less than an hour did not need to pay or register their car.

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