Sign a petition to get Morrisons (Reigate) to lift their ridiculous evening parking restrictions.

[AnotherSurreyMum]

I don't know if everyone locally has had the e-mail about this, but just in case, I'm copying it here:
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At the end of May 09, and without warning, Morrisons in Reigate began operating a 24-hour, camera-controlled parking system. Hundreds of Reigate residents have been shocked to receive 'fines' of £40 and over for parking after 6 p.m. The car park is not busy in the evening, and we are urging Morrisons to support the local community they serve by lifting parking restrictions from 6 p.m. Mon-Sat (4 p.m. Sun) NOT just once the store has closed at 9/10 p.m.

Unless they are reversed, these unnecessary and heavy-handed restrictions will have a severe impact on Reigate's evening trade (restaurants, bars, cinema) and restrict residents' activities in the town.

We want to send Morrisons the clear message:

"No fines for evening times, after 6 p.m."

A petition already has over 1700 signatures - add your support and follow the campaign at the website

Please also consider displaying the attached poster in your car or shop window to make local residents aware of the campaign.

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If you haven't already signed this and you use the Morrisons store, please do.

Everyone is really angry and worried about this - it is going to kill off the local town evening trade / social life.

P.S. There is also a photocall with the local newspaper on Monday 15th June at 6 p.m. at the front of the car park on Bell Street - come and protest! (I'll be there...)

[LIZS]

I thought I'd read they already had ?

[ReigateMum]

Thx for this - just looked at the site, and think it's OUTRAGEOUS! I had no idea.
There has been no signage about the change in policy.

Well we are probably going to get a ticket 'cos we were there on Thurs between 6 - 8 .30 while DS was at beavers.

Am very - have signed the petition and printed out some posters for school/ cubs/ the office!!

[LIZS]

here

[AnotherSurreyMum]

LIZS - no, the newspapers foolishly reported it as a 'U-Turn' when in fact all Morrisons have said is that they will not enforce it after the store has closed - but that is 9 pm at night, and 10 pm on Fri/Sat!
And they have to do that by law anyway apparently.

The campaign is for them to switch the cameras off at 6 pm (4 pm on Sundays). The car park is half empty at that time anyway, so it's not going to impact their customers.

If they don't do this the impact on the town's pubs, clubs, restaurants and other activities like social & sports clubs will be HUGE. The other car parks in the town are dark and dingey multi-storey, or hidden away in the dark, and I certainly wouldn't want to go back to them after a night out.

I can't believe Morrisons are being so mean about this! It's just petty and mean.

I shopped at Sainsbury today in protest, and I know lots of other people will do the same if they don't change this.

[AnotherSurreyMum]

Even with the supposed 'new' regime it means that you wouldn't be able to park in the (empty) car park at 7.30 p.m. on a Friday, go for a meal or to the cinema and return at 9.35 p.m. - this would result in a supposed £70 fine (so kindly 'reduced' to £40 if paid in 14 days... )

Morrisons are pretending they have 'changed their policy' but they haven't at all listened to what the local residents are saying.

Everyone thinks the car park should be available for general community use after 6 p.m. - as it has been for the last 15 years or so!

[Scattercat]

My teenage daughter has already clocked up 2 tickets. The first was for parking for over two hours (just before 6.00pm until 8.30pm) on the first day the cameras were operating.

I am assured a second ticket is on the way. This one is because my daughter returned to the car park within 3 hours of leaving it (even though on reading the small print she drove straight out again).

Beware - if you forget an item, don't dare to return for it or you will get a ticket.

Most people understand the need to restrict parking to 2 hours during busy shopping hours. A system like Sainsburys operate in Redhill would be much more acceptable. I really hope Reigate residents join us in boycotting the store until these issues are resolved.

[fluffyhamster]

Yup - me too

Parked just after 6 pm, dropped DS1 off at cubs, did a big shop, had a coffee in their fcking coffee shop, picked up DS again and left at about 8.15.. and what do I get by way of thanks for my custom??? A parking ticket for £70 - that's what!!!!

Bstards.

DH says we're not going to shop there until they make it free after 6 p.m.
It's just a money-making scam - the car park is half-empty after 6 anyway, there is absolutely no need to have restrictions then.

My friend says there's another demonstration tomorrow at 6 pm at the front of the car park - anyone care to join us?