Drivers face fines for parking near busy shops in ‘stupid’ council scheme

DRIVERS could soon be slapped with a fine for parking near a busy shopping centre because of a new “stupid” council scheme.

Locals are fuming that a section of Birchover Way, near Derbyshire’s Shoppers Park Farm Shopping Centre, will soon be under restrictions.

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Derby City Council unveiled new system street following complaints from residents that cars parked on the road were a “hazard”.

They decided to put a “No Waiting” traffic order in place – meaning motorist are permitted to stop for a short period of time but not for long durations – but only on one side of the road.

But now locals have slammed the restriction – which could see them be fined for parking on one side of the road but not the other.

One resident, Nick Dakin, called the idea “stupid”. 

He told Derbyshire Live: “They will simply keep parking at this location – but just on the other side. I don’t want to cause trouble but it just makes no sense.”

“It is not very proactive from the council is it? I wonder if the delay is the council trying to keep as much money as possible in these difficult times. 

“It seems strange nothing has happened when they were telling residents to make comments or objections by a certain date. “

A Derby City Council spokesperson said: “Our Traffic and Transportation team have confirmed that their teams are working on putting the traffic order in place so that enforcement can go ahead at this site.”

No start date for the new system has been announced.

This means locals will just have to keep an eye out for new signage to avoid being slapped with a Penalty Charge Notice.

The council added: “Waiting restrictions, such as those proposed for Birchover Way, are introduced in locations where it is deemed necessary to keep the road free of parked vehicles. 

“This is to ensure the free flow of traffic and safety for all highway users.”