Camera system failure?: Drivers reportedly slapped with fines for no reason in Falkirk retail park

The Falkirk Herald has had a number of drivers come forward complaining about the way the car parking system is being operated in the British Land-owned retail park.

One annoyed motorist said: “The company that have parking cameras at the retail park are sending out £100 fines to hundreds of Falkirk residents for what is called ‘double dip parking fines’.

“This is where their cameras pick up the first entrance time of each vehicle, but miss the car leaving. The cameras then pick up the car leaving again later that day or even a few days later sometimes and a fine is issued for it being over the four hour limit.”

Falkirk Central Retail Park brought in the changes to its car park management on Friday, March 27, with bosses British Land claiming it would help improve traffic flow.

The four-hour maximum stay was reinstated across the retail park and managed using ANPR technology, which records vehicle entry and exit times.

At the time, a Falkirk Central Retail Park spokesperson said: "We’ve made this change to help improve traffic flow and make sure that shoppers have an enjoyable visit – whether doing the food shop or popping to the cinema.

"Four hours is much longer than the average stay for most of our shoppers, so the majority won't be affected at all. For those enjoying time at our leisure venues, it takes just a moment to register for extended stays on tablets in their entrances."

The parking limit applies across all parking areas, including those serving Cineworld, Dunelm, Smyths Toys and The Food Warehouse, as well as The Range, Currys, Tesco and Starbucks.

The Pets at Home and Costa Coffee car park is managed by a separate system.

Blue Badge holders can continue to use the designated accessible parking spaces across the centre when displaying a valid badge.

The Falkirk Herald contacted British Land this week looking for a comment on the matter and has not yet received a response.