Parking time warning at retail park

A warning has been issued about new parking regulations at a popular Wigan retail park.
Robin Park retail areaRobin Park retail area
Robin Park retail area

Shopper Ian Barton was hit with a penalty charge at Robin Park after falling foul of new rules in relation to matchdays at the nearby DW Stadium.


Mr Barton visited the park earlier this month and after spending just over a couple of hours, he headed home.

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However, a week later he received a parking charge through the post after being picked up by the ANPR cameras.


It just so happened that Mr Barton had visited during Latics’ game with Peterborough.


New regulations set by car park management firm Highview Parking state that vehicles can only be parked for a maximum of two hours on matchdays and four hours on non-matchdays.


Ian said: “We had been to a few shops like Boots, Argos and Sports Direct.

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“I then nipped into Carphone Warehouse negotiating a contract but apparently all that took too long.


“I got notification through the following week telling me I had to pay £100 or £60 if I paid it early.


“The fact that there’s a coffee shop in the corner shows that you’re not encouraged to rush around.


“The main thing that got me was that I never realised these ANPR cameras had popped up and suddenly you need to be so aware of whether it is a matchday or not.”

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Another point of contention is that Mr Barton left at 3.30pm, overstaying the two hour limit by 15 minutes, but also proving that he was not at the football match.


“I know people have been caught out before using it for matches,” he added.


“What’s upsetting is that we were genuinely shopping and I don’t see why we are being penalised.


“When you read it, it says you are paying for damages lost by the landowner.

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“So when you are a genuine customer and you have receipts to prove it, why do they see the need to recover losses from you?


“That’s the ridiculous situation about it.


“Even driving passed the other weekend, I was getting wound up and annoyed about it, it’s unnecessary. It’s put me off going there.


“I don’t see any sense in doing what they are doing other than to discourage people.”