I have today been briefed by Southampton City Council’s Trading Standards Team about the situation with Britannia Parking and West Quay Retail Park.

I have been campaigning for the past 6 weeks against the unclear parking arrangements and on behalf of residents and visitors to the city who have been unfairly caught out and fined.

I have raised concerns and numerous cases directly with Britannia Parking who have been defensive and total uninterested in addressing the matter. So, I resorted to contacting the Council’s Trading Standards Team, who have today told me that they agree that the signage is unclear and the parking tariff arrangement is very unhelpful. They have raised the matter with a firm called Cushman and Wakefield who manage the site and who contract with Britannia Parking to administer the parking arrangements. I am told that they too agree that signage and tariffs need looking at. This is great news! Discussions are ongoing.

I have also suggested to Trading Standards that if there is acceptance that the current parking arrangements are confusing - does that not suggest that some people have been unfairly fined and should therefore receive redress? The Council agree and will be investigating this, starting with requesting details of the Penalty Charge Notices issued since May last year.

I don’t have a timescale for next steps yet, but I will keep in close contact with Trading Standards and update when I can.

If you have written to me and I haven’t replied yet, please accept my apologies. I have received a huge number of emails, and I am working through all of them. I will reply to everyone individually.

Some of the stories I have received are very sad, with some people receiving numerous fines, and some seriously distressed and worried about the financial impacts on them. I want this resolved and to see fairness. I also want people not to be put off from coming to Southampton, whether to shop, to eat out or visit the theatre, cinema or come to the football. None of the businesses which this carpark serves I think want to see people put off either.