Coalville shoppers' complaints about 'inappropriate' car parking fines are to be discussed by North West Leicestershire District Council next week.

A motion has been put forward by Cllr John Legrys which is on the agenda for next Tuesday's Council meeting (Nov 16).

Cllr Legrys will address the fact that residents and shoppers are being handed fines from camera-operated technology.

He adds that complaints are not being dealt with satisfactorily.

And he feels this issue could put people off coming into the town centre at a time when the Council is encouraging the opposite.

Cllr Legrys' motion reads: "The Coalville Town Centre Car Parks, located off Bridge Road/High Street and the North Service yard off High Street, are now privately owned.

"The owner has employed a third-party operator, Parking Eye, to enforce parking charges.

"The operator's payment options are collected via camera-operated technology.

"Residents and shoppers are being inappropriately fined and their complaints are not being given a satisfactory response.

"There are concerns that there is confusion about the public rights of vehicular access through this now private land, that signage and instructions for payment options are unclear and that the operator is not conforming to the British Parking Association Code of Practice.

"This is leading to a downturn in footfall as many shoppers and visitors now find it more convenient to shop in towns where the signage and parking charges are more straightforward and understood.

"It is important for those with a stake in the town centre to work together to promote Coalville Town Centre, as a place for shopping, leisure, local heritage and the National Forest.

"This Council, through the Portfolio Holder, will undertake to work with the car park owners and operator to address the concerns and keep Coalville ward members informed of progress."

Some Coalville residents say they have been fined for using the car park to cut through to other areas of the town, while others have questioned whether Parking Eye has the necessary planning permission to operate there,