ANGRY motorists say they are being fleeced up to £80 each at a council car park.
The irate drivers claim confusing signage means many have been locked into the overflow spaces at the Dinton Pastures Country Park.
They then have to call a rescue service and pay £80 or face being stuck overnight and a long walk home.
Kim Stevens contacted The Wokingham Paper after seeing eight cars trapped behind locked gates in the overflow car park.
“I saw a crowd of people gathered around the overflow car park and spoke to a lady to find out what was happening. She said the overflow car park had been locked at 6pm,” explained Kim.
“There must have been about eight cars parked there and all the people were standing around waiting.
“Some of them had small children and they were obviously tired and fed up.
“The lady I spoke to had just moved into the area from Australia and had decided to take the children out for a fun afternoon, having had a stressful move.
“She wanted to explore the area and decided to have an afternoon at Dinton Pastures but came back to her car to find the gate locked.
“She phoned the number on the sign and was asked to pay £80 to unlock the gate.
“She said she was so upset and wanted to get home so she just paid it even though she was mad about the misleading signage. I felt so sorry for her. What a welcome to England.”
Another angry motorists said: “One evening, I saw three cars locked in the overflow space and they all had to pay £80 each to get out. Talk about fleecing drivers.
“The signage is very confusing because it gives the impression that both the main car park as well as the overflow are open until 9pm.
“Dinton Pastures is a lovely area and a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. Surely the council should be encouraging people to visit, not just using it as an excuse to make money.”
A sign at the entrance states the main car park is open from 7.15am until 9pm but the overflow spaces are described as being “open as per notification”. The time on the signs can be changed.
Notices also inform drivers there is an £80 unlocking fee with a freephone number for Forest Care.
Executive member for environment Cllr Norman Jorgensen said: “While we do sympathise with any family that has overstayed at Dinton Pastures, the signage is very clear both at the entrance to the overflow car park and at the pay and display machines.
“We have to pay a contractor to come and let people out when they overstay and get themselves locked in and so I am afraid it is only right that we make a charge.
“Any vehicle that fails to leave a car park before its stated closing time is liable for this fee.”
