Beggs expresses concern at number of car park penalty charges issued at Laharna Retail Park

East Antrim Ulster Unionist Party Assemblyman Roy Beggs has expressed concern at the double digit complaints he has received regarding automated car park penalty charges that have been issued by Smart Parking in relation to the Laharna Retail car park, Larne.

Roy Beggs MLA said, “Shoppers in Larne have been used to the free car parking at the Laharna Retail Park and are not noticing the new car parking signage highlighting the three hour restriction which operates 24 hours a day. There is also no free car parking in the evening or overnight. I myself have been contacted by a significant number of constituents who are feeling aggrieved having not noticed the new signage. Whilst I recognise that private car park owners are able to set their own parking limits, I have written to a Director of the retail park urging that they would add a more prominent sign at ground level at the entrance to this car park to better inform local shoppers of the new restrictions on parking. Those receiving the £60/£100 parking penalty charge are feeling aggrieved and it is in no one’s interest that such fines are issued.”

Smart Parking is now in operation at the car park and local shoppers have a maximum of three hours per stay. Laharna Retail Park Ltd wish to enable their customers to conveniently park their car close to their shops. They have decided to discourage long stay car parking in their private car park.

Roy Beggs MLA who is already working with numerous constituents to have the penalty charges cancelled said “If anyone else is in a similar situation, please contact my office on 028 9336 2995 as I have been able to have some fines cancelled due to loopholes in the legislation.”

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