A BRIDGWATER couple are warning shoppers to take care after being caught out with a car parking ticket at the Bridgwater Retail Park.

New signs have been put in place by private company UKPC stating there is a three-hour maximum stay, and in smaller writing a warning that “If you leave this site while your vehicle remains in the car park you may be liable to receive a parking charge”.

David and Linda Rodwell from Wembdon are calling on residents to be vigilant after they received a parking charge because Mrs Rodwell left the site before returning to shop at the M&S Food Hall.

Mr Rodwell said: “My wife left the car for less than two hours, walked into town and then shopped in the new M&S Food Hall as well as visiting a couple of other stores.

“On returning to the car she found a parking ticket because she had been seen leaving the car park.

“They now have a warden who sits watching for people leaving by the side of Currys.”

Mr Rodwell acknowledged that it does state on the sign you are liable for a charge, but said the sign is placed high up so ‘all you can easily read is three hour maximum stay’ and ‘customer parking only for use when shopping on site’.

“Some years ago Sedgemoor Council, with approval of the site owners, promoted walking to town from the edge of town retail parks and rope walk was constructed from Sainsburys car park to the town bridge.

“Part of rope walk still exists and as a result this has become accepted practice for many people in the town and any change of policy by the current site owners should be made much clearer."

Mr Rodwell says a warning notice rather than a parking ticket in the first instance should have been the first step.

Mr Rodwell has been spreading the word and social media and knows a number of other residents have also been caught out in similar fashion.

UKPC have been approached for a comment.