A PENSIONER has criticised parking rules after he was penalised for arriving at a car park too early in the morning.

Mike Heard visited Witham on September 28 before a Town Team meeting.

Mr Heard, of Allectus Way, Witham, parked in the Newlands Centre car park at 6.33am and paid £3, expecting to get up to six hours parking, as per the car park’s charges.

When he returned to his vehicle at 11.10am he had been issued with a fine.

Mr Heard, 68, said: “What I did not realise is there is an overnight rate that needs to be paid up until 7am.

“I considered buying another ticket when I saw the time, but I thought that would contravene parking laws if I had two on display.

"I left thinking the machine had gone bonkers.”

Mr Heard was fined £25, which has gone up to £50 after he refused to pay, explaining the situation in a letter to the North Essex Parking Partnership. The fine could rise to £75 or he could be prosecuted.

He said: “The parking charges are very confusing. I arrived at 6.30am in the morning but yet I have to pay the overnight charge - it doesn’t make sense.

“I am happy to pay for parking, but these rules are bonkers when we are trying to get more people into the town.

“In the station car park they have adjusted the machines to compensate for commuters arriving early.”

Tina Townsend, chairman of the Witham Chamber of Commerce, said: “One of our major issues is that it is confusing for people and the timings are a little bit out.”

A parking partnership spokesman said: “The Newlands Drive car park operating hours and tariff are determined by Braintree Council. In this circumstance, a valid ticket was not purchased.”

Braintree Council said a 50p charge is applicable if a customer arrives any time between 7am and 7pm but it could be changed as part of a review next year.