Motorists counting cost of council works delay
Motorists are being stung by £50 fines for mistakenly parking in bays which have been removed.
Traffic wardens 'are having a field day', it is claimed.
A local councillor is calling for any penalty notices handed out to affected motorists in Rugeley to be rescinded.
Staffordshire County Council removed eight parking bays from Forge Road car park in Rugeley as part of work linked to the building of the new Tesco in Rugeley.
However, the former ground markings can still be seen and motorists are inadvertently using them to their cost.
Councillor Paul Fisher, who represents the Brereton and Ravenhill ward on Cannock Chase Council, claimed dozens of people have been affected.
He said: "The older parking bays, though faint, can still be seen and people are still parking there and getting penalty tickets. There are no signs saying they can't. The traffic wardens are having a field day.
"The work was finished weeks ago and dozens of people have been affected since then, all down to the council's incompetence."
Staffordshire County Council has issued an assurance the necessary work will be completed soon.
Councillor Mark Deaville, cabinet support member for highways, said the works were part of an ongoing scheme to construct a footway link from the new Tesco to the town centre.
He said: "As part of those works some white lining had to be removed. However any new or replacement lining will be completed within the next few weeks."
Cannock Chase Council has promised that anyone who has had a penalty notice as a result of parking in the wrong bay will have their money refunded.
Service chief Ian Tennant said the lines were burned off by the county council as part of agreed alteration works to the car park, as it involved work on the highway, for which they are responsible.
He said: "Cannock Council has pursued the county council over this delay in remarking the bays.
"The penalty charge notices that were issued for these bays have been cancelled and the parking enforcement officers have been instructed not to issue anymore penalties for parking outside a bay until the relining is complete."
