Worthing council chief doesn't understand parking signs

They have even confused the borough council's top officer.

Chief executive Ian Lowrie confessed as much when replying to a woman who was complaining after being caught out by such a sign.

Mr Lowrie said her letter "struck a chord with me as I had myself struggled to understand this sign when on election duties in another place.

"However, I am sorry to tell you that this is a government-approved sign that cannot be modified by local councils, otherwise invalidating the parking scheme".

Difficult first time

He said that once explained, the sign's meaning was obvious, but this was "no help when confronting it for the first time."

The sign means the bay can be used by permit holders only between 10-11am and 2-3pm.

At all other times, it can be used by non-permit holders as well.

Mr Lowrie said the signs were usually located close to large employers or railway stations to prevent commuters or staff clogging up local streets all day.

Department of Transport

"If you wish to express a view on what is a rather obtuse sign, I suggest you may wish to write to the Department of Transport," he ended.

Mr Lowrie's correspondent, Ms Roberts, also referred the chief executive to an NCP case study on the company taking over the running of Worthing's car parks.

In it, Graham Erskine, NCP's operations director, said NCP was appointed to use its expertise to ensure the car parks were refurbished, at a pledged cost of 4million, to the highest standard, and to help the borough council (WBC) achieve maximum value from its asset.

Money-making

"Crucially, the deal gives the council an enhanced financial return, with WBC receiving a guaranteed, index-linked sum in excess of the profits the car parks were previously generating under their management.

"In addition, the council receives a share of any increase in revenue over a prescribed threshold."

Ms Roberts said: "At the last count, Worthing Borough Council was 840,000 in credit because of their creative parking scheme and well on the way to a million.

"Well done, Worthing Borough Council."

What do you think?

Do you find the signs difficult to understand?

How could the government improve understanding of parking signs?

Share your views, comment below, email the Herald or write in to Readers' Letters, Worthing Herald series, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA.

A full name and address is required before letters can be considered for publication. This can be withheld on request.

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