Beware out-of-date Cockermouth car park signs - warns disabled driver

Roland Kelleher, 73, and his wife Cathy live near Aspatria.

Roland has mobility issues following a car accident.

The car park which no longer offers free parking to registered disabled drivers - although signs say otherwise (Image: Newsquest)

For years he has used the free parking which was offered to disabled drivers registered with Wilkos. Non-disabled drivers paid through an automated system on leaving.

"Wilkos gave free parking for two hours to disabled drivers who were registered with them and that registration lasted for four years," said Roland.

"Unfortunately, Wilko’s recently went into administration but the signage on the car park has remained the same informing people of the disabled concession."

Roland visited the car park recently for the first time since Wilkos closed.

"I checked the signage was the same as always and the disabled concession had not been cancelled. I also asked in two shops if the concessionary parking still in operation and was informed they thought so but were not certain. I also asked a fellow disabled driver who also believed the concession was in place," he said.

On returning home he checked on the parking operator’s web site (Horizon Parking.co.uk).

"Their terms and conditions stated that disabled drivers were not automatically allowed to park free on any of their sites and drivers should check the local signage, as I had done," said Roland.

He telephoned the company and was told the concession had been cancelled as soon as the shop was closed and unless he paid, via their website, he would be fined.

"My concern is that many disabled people are ignorant of the cancellation of the Wilko concession so would not pay the parking charge and end up incurring a fine because Horizon has not changed the signage," said Roland, who pointed this out to Horizon.

"I have no idea how many disabled drivers have already been fined or when, if ever, Horizon will amend the signage.

"It's total confusion for all customers and nearby businesses, everyone has a different explanation of what's going on."

There are about six disabled spaces in the car park. Roland and Cathy used them when visiting Main Street.

Cathy said: "I think retailers are totally confused regarding what's happening. We have spoken to many people and no one is clear about what's going on.

"It must be confusing for tourists too."

Roland said: "I have spoken to three different people at Horizon, they all know the sign is wrong."

A Horizon spokesman said on Thursday morning: "We are in the process of resolving for the longer term how the car park will be run going forwards and as soon as we have instructions, we will arrange for the signs to be updated accordingly. 

"In the meantime, we will always consider appeals should any motorist receive a Parking Charge which for a blue badge holder would just mean submitting with their appeal a copy of the front and back of their blue badge.

"Whilst the store is closed unfortunately, we are not able to offer the Blue Badge concession as there is no option for validation but the remaining terms and conditions of the car park are still in place as outlined on the signage."