Anger grows over station car parking

Growing numbers of motorists have been hit by parking fines at the area’s new multi-storey car park.

Angry drivers say the signs are too small and not easy to read.

One man - Stephen Thornton, from Lindfield - said this week: “The signs are inadequate in numbers and placement.

“They are also too small to read, especially when rushing for a train.

“And there is no instruction in the car park lobby, nor on the ticket machine - which issues what looks like a receipt - also with no instruction to display.”

Now, he says, he is refusing to pay his parking fine and is protesting against the new set-up.

“I shall not pay up and will fight this unjust action through the courts if necessary,” he said.

He has already appealed against the fine, but has had it rejected by car park operators Indigo.

The company maintained in a letter to him last week that it was upholding the penalty charge of £60 ‘if paid within 14 days.’

Meanwhile, other drivers are also being caught out by the signs and being hit with penalty notices.

Nicola Gallagher received a £100 fine for failing to display a ticket last month, but took her case to the Parking On Private Land Appeals - which last week quashed her fine.

Nicola said she had paid for parking but there was no signage near the machine or within the car park to advise that tickets needed to be displayed.

POPLA upheld her appeal after stating that car park operator Indigo ‘provided no information in relation to this appeal.’

Meanwhile, rail operator Southern has already said that it is looking into the matter of parking at the station.

A spokesman said: “Haywards Heath car park is a pay and display car park and there are notices in the form of pay and display tariff boards located throughout.

“However, we are in the process of reviewing signage at the car park and will look into ways of making them more prominent.”