I’m raging after crashing into Tesco’s new trolley bays – they’re too small

A TESCO customer has been left raging after he crashed into the supermarket’s new trolley bay – which he says is so short he couldn’t see it.

Paul Gadd, 49, has said his local Tesco’s trolley bay is “badly designed” as while its silver poles are wrapped in yellow reflector material, it is so low he couldn’t see it while driving.

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But he has been told he won’t be getting a payout for the damage to his car as the collision was his own fault.

Paul claims several other drivers have also scraped along the metal barriers at the West Yorkshire store, leaving behind bits of their cars.

He says he has complained to the supermarket chain several times but has had no luck getting an apology, acknowledgement of responsibility or compensation.

The 49-year-old has also called the company’s response “confused” and “childish”.

Paul was then shocked to see new bright yellow and black posts had been installed near the trolley bay about a month after his crash.

However, Tesco told The Sun Online the changes to the trolley bay were part of a planned refurbishment, and not linked to Paul’s crash.

The incident unfolded in March and Paul recalls hearing an “almighty crunch” when his Citroen C4 hit the metal bay as he tried to leave the car park.

He says the repairs will cost “a few quid” but he hasn’t had a quote yet.

Paul said he has been left angry and frustrated about what happened – and around the complaints process.

He told YorkshireLive: “I have been trying to get them to fix it. They would not accept liability.

“They were making excuses when I was trying to explain to them.”

In June, Tesco appeared confused when they sent Paul a letter that said: “We are sorry to hear that your vehicle was damaged during an incident with a trolley.”

The letter said it could not take responsibility for “the wind catching an abandoned trolley” or if customers left them in an unsafe place.

It said: “Unfortunately, this means that we cannot offer to pay for any damage on this occasion.”

Paul said he continued to complain and sent Tesco photographs of his car and the trolley bay.

In a reply in August, Tesco said: “Thank you for the images, we have investigated this and this is still a rejection due to the trolley bay being a fixed object in the designated area clear and visible with hazard tape on the barriers.”

A Tesco spokesperson today told The Sun Online: “The safety of our customers and colleagues is our number one priority and we are confident that the parking facilities at our Cleckheaton Superstore are safe and easy to use.”

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