Sir Gavin Williamson has urged LCP Group, which own the majority of units on the Quinton Court Shopping Centre as well as the car park, to extend the parking limit as the current approach is unduly penalising residents and affecting business.
The current time limit of two and a half hours has seen an uptick in fines and causes businesses, particularly those in the hair and beauty sector, to lose customers.
Residents have also commented that they can no longer enjoy afternoon tea, visit the library, or access medical support without fear of receiving a ticket from the overzealous Smart Parking Ltd which operate on behalf of LCP Group.
Sir Gavin said: "I am deeply concerned that residents are receiving parking fines for simply visiting hairdressers or beauty therapists. This is drastically affecting business and I fear for the future of their trade without changes to the parking arrangement.
“180 minutes is just not long enough for those who receive beauty treatment or have hair appointments which often exceeds two hours. Residents will have no option but to either go elsewhere, or park off-road with congestion affecting other motorists and creating problems for access.
“I urge the LCP group to either extend their parking limit to the huge relief of residents and business, or scrap the limit altogether as we have seen on other high streets and town centres.”
